Roger Federer will go down as one of the greatest men’s tennis champions in the history of the sport. He is saying his last goodbye to the game of pro tennis.
Federer is a 20-time Grand Slam winner who took the court at London’s Laver Cup on September 23rd for the last time. He was partnered with his longtime competitor who became his doubles partner, Rafael Nadal.
Federer had not competed in 15 months, and he and Nadal lost to the American doubles team of Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock, with a final score of 4-6, 7-6 (2), 11-9.
After the march, the Swiss tennis superstar appeared to tear up. He waved at the cheering crowd and mouthed the words, “Thank you.”
After the match, Federer said, “It’s been a perfect journey,” Federer said. “I would do it all over again.”
According to the Associated Press, the spectators in the crowd chanted, “Let’s go, Roger! Let’s go!” during the concluding moments of the more than two-hour long match that lasted after midnight.
Roger Federer was saluted with a video tribute by his sponsor, the champagne brand Moët & Chandon. It was titled “A toast to Roger Federer.”
Pictures were circulated of the champ with his team wiping his eyes.
Federer announced last week that this tournament would be his last as a competitor. He wanted this last match to be more of a party than a funeral, so fans came out in droves to celebrate his career.
Federer tweeted just hours before the match, “I’ve done this thousands of times, but this one feels different. Thank you to everybody who’s coming tonight.”
His last singles match was a loss in the Wimbledon quarterfinals in July of 2021. He had an injured right knee throughout his career and his final of three operations came after that final singles match.
The tennis world will miss this grand champion.
I’ve done this thousands of times, but this one feels different. Thank you to everybody who’s coming tonight. pic.twitter.com/lmPWTNzjbn
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 23, 2022
