A tennis legend leaves: emotional farewell to Federer

Roger Federer fought bravely for a long time. But when he was asked about his wife Mirka and his four children, it was finally over for the 41-year-old Swiss. Federer cried bitterly and couldn't talk at first. Then he says in a halting voice. “I would never have gotten this far without you. You allowed me to keep going.”

It was the emotional climax of a farewell gala full of emotions and feelings for the tennis legend. At 0.25:100 a.m. local time on Saturday night, one of the greatest athletes' careers came to an end. With tears in his eyes, Federer said goodbye to tennis in London. After more than 20 tournament wins and a total of 41 Grand Slam titles, the XNUMX-year-old Swiss ended his impressive career.

However, Federer was not granted a final victory in his last official match. At the Laver Cup, Federer, alongside Spaniard Rafael Nadal, lost to the US duo Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe in the match tiebreak 6:4, 6:7 (2:7), 9:11. Afterwards, Federer hugged all his teammates and let the spectators celebrate him. Chants of “Roger, Roger” echoed through The O2 in London.

After the game the tears came. © APA/afp / GLYN KIRK

“It felt like a celebration and that was exactly what I wanted,” Federer said in the subsequent on-court interview. He repeatedly had to interrupt the conversation with the American former professional Jim Courier because he had to cry. “It was a perfect trip. I would do it the same way again,” said the long-time world number 1. “I’m happy, not sad.”

Federer announced last week that he would end his career after the team competition. The Swiss had to have knee operations a total of 3 times. He played his last game on the ATP tour in Wimbledon over a year ago.

At the Laver Cup, a European team plays against a selection of players from the rest of the world from Friday to Sunday. After the first day it is 2:2. Federer's last appearance was significantly delayed because the Brit Andy Murray and Alex de Minaur from Australia faced each other for almost two and a half hours. Everyone was just waiting for the moment when Federer would step onto a tennis court for the last time for an official game.

At 22.03:XNUMX p.m. local time the time had finally come. To the deafening cheers of the fans, Federer entered the arena together with his long-time rival and now friend Nadal. “After all the great things we shared together on and off the court, being part of this historic moment is something unforgettable for me,” Nadal said before the game.

And the two superstars, who have won 42 Grand Slam titles together, thrilled the audience from the start. Federer and Nadal joked together again and again, and the rest of Team Europe around Novak Djokovic was also in a good mood. And in terms of sport, Federer also showed from time to time that he has not forgotten how to play tennis, even at the age of 41 and after knee operations.

“I’ve done this 1000 times, but this feels different” Roger Federer

Before the game, Federer could see the tension. The long-time number one tried again and again to create a relaxed atmosphere with jokes. But even on the way into the arena, which Federer shared live with his fans in an Instagram video, the Swiss maestro was able to notice the special nature of the moment. “I've done this 1000 times before, but this feels different,” said Federer. On the court, the 20-time Grand Slam champion largely had his nerves under control and found the right mix of relaxed and serious. Despite having a match point in the third set, it wasn't enough for a final victory.

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A tennis legend leaves: emotional farewell to Federer

He was not granted one last victory. Roger Federer lost the last match of his great tennis career. Afterwards there are great emotions and many tears.

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