Federer’s legendary farewell
In the last match, the constant rival becomes an ally
09/22/2022, 3:14 p.m
Roger Federer’s last wish in his outstanding career comes true: he plays his last match with Rafael Nadal. The two rivals are already friends off the pitch. Now they can also prove their harmony on the field.
Roger Federer flirted with Novak Djokovic, he hugged Andy Murray, chatted with Björn Borg and John McEnroe. The greatest in the tennis world posed for a photo in front of Tower Bridge, the stage is set for Federer’s last appearance – and he will complete it in London, of all things, alongside his permanent rival: Together with Rafael Nadal, Federer will compete in doubles at the Laver Cup .
On Friday evening, a wish from the Swiss will come true. “It would be something very special,” he recently said at Eurosport, “if two rivals finally came together and played one last match on the same side.”
Federer will retire immediately after the Laver Cup (September 23-25/Eurosport). The process of announcing the end of his great career took a lot out of him emotionally. “In the last two or three weeks I’ve had a knot in my stomach,” says Federer, “one or two tears” have also flowed: “But now I feel good.”
“Will try to be competitive”
Federer can devote himself to what he likes best one last time: tennis. “I haven’t played for a very long time. I’ll try to be competitive,” says the 41-year-old, whose body doesn’t want to go after all the titles, triumphs and hardships: “But at least I can play at a level that I can totally acceptable.” It won’t be enough for Federer for a single, but for a double in this continental competition between Team Europe and Team World.
A “burden” fell off him, said Federer in London. He worked on his farewell letter for two weeks. Now that the inevitable time has come, he wants to enjoy it all again. The appearance as part of the “Big Four” in Team Europe with Nadal, Djokovic and Murray, plus the legend Borg as a coach. The love of the fans. And all in the city where he won eight Wimbledons. “I carry London in my heart,” says Federer.
“It’s a private matter”
Also in London, Federer last played on the tour more than a year ago, in Wimbledon 2021, and then had to have a third operation on his right knee. “The last three years have been tough, to say the least,” says the Maestro, who does not want to give any information about the severity of his injury: “I think it’s a private matter. And to be honest – I don’t know exactly either and sometimes I want to don’t know exactly.”
In normal life, his knee doesn’t bother him at all, and after his career Federer now wants to enjoy life with his wife Mirka and their four children to the fullest. “Somewhere” the children are also sad “that I’m going to stop. But they always expressed the wish: ‘Stop tennis, we want to go skiing’,” said Federer: “I said it to all four at the same time and three out of four wept.”
Tears will probably flow again in London, because: One of the greats says goodbye.