There were emotional scenes on the first day of the Laver Cup in London on Friday, as Roger Federer played his final game of tennis alongside his old adversary Rafael Nadal.
41-year-old Federer announced his retirement earlier this month, confirming that the Laver Cup would be his farewell to the game.
One of the all-time greats of tennis, Federer's retirement saw not only him but his old friend Nadal in tears in the O2 in London on Friday night - and the crowd were privileged enough to see the 20-times Grand Slam champion crack out one more masterful performance.
Roger Federer says goodbye to tennis
The Laver Cup got underway with the opening singles matches on Friday morning, but all eyes were on the evening's doubles match, where Roger Federer would bow out of the game of tennis.
It was only fitting that he would play alongside his long-time adversary and close friend Rafael Nadal, as they took on the "Rest of the World" pairing of Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.
The match turned out to be an absolute thriller, with Federer and Nadal ultimately coming up short in three sets by 6-4, 6-7, 9-11. Despite this, Federer had one more ridiculous trick shot up his sleeve, as he managed to squeeze the ball through the net.
View this post on Instagram
Federer could be overheard describing the shot. Fellow team Europe member Novak Djokovic noted his precision was still on form, with Federer joking in response "It wasn't meant to be!"
It was fitting that we got one more moment of Roger Federer brilliance before his retirement, at the centre of what was a terrific match.
Special tribute was paid to the Swiss legend after the match, and in his interview he was visibly emotional, reduced to tears on several occasions.
If there's one thing you watch today, make it this.#LaverCup | @rogerfederer pic.twitter.com/Ks9JqEeR6B
— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 23, 2022
Federer has struggled with injuries in recent years, and said he was thankful he managed to last his final game without any flare-ups or injury concerns. He stressed how special it had been to share his final match with Rafa Nadal, and expressed his thanks to his team for ensuring his final match was not "lonely":
I told the guys I'm happy, I'm not sad. It feels great to be here.
I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time - everything was the last time.
The match was great, I couldn't be happier. It's been wonderful.
And, of course playing with Rafa on the same team, and having the guys here all the legends.
It is amazing, it really is. I didn't want it to feel lonely out there. It felt lonely for a second when they told me to go out, or when you wanted me to come out one more time. It felt great, but to be saying goodbye in a team, I always felt I was a team player at heart.
Singles doesn't really do that a whole lot, but a team that's travelled with me around the whole world...it's been amazing, so thanks to everybody who made it work for so many years. Of course, being on the team with Andy, Thomas, Novak, Matteo, Cam, Stefanos, Rafa, and Casper, and also all the other guys are unbelievable. It's been a pleasure.
It does feel like a celebration for me. I did want it to feel like this at the end, and it's exactly what I hoped for, so thank you.
There wasn't a dry eye in the house at the O2, with the departure of Roger Federer a seminal one for the sport.
Even his teammate Rafael Nadal was in tears, as their great rivalry (which was always carried out in terrific spirit) finally came to an end with them sharing the court on the same side.
L'image la plus forte de la soirée ! Incroyable. pic.twitter.com/Nq75YzUozN
— Tennis Legend (@TennisLegende) September 23, 2022
Roger Federer won his first Grand Slam in 2003, and has remained at the top of the game ever since. The debate over the "greatest of all time" will rage on, but the fact that the three prime contenders for that slot (Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic) played together for Federer's farewell was a fitting tribute, as an era of tennis draws to a close.
Funnily enough, it was perhaps a quote from Andy Roddick which best summed up Roger Federer as he departs:
I absolutely love and respect Roger Federer - I don't say that about many people who ruined my life for a decade!
Tennis won't quite be the same without Roger.
SEE ALSO: Brother Claims Paul Pogba Put Curse On Kylian Mbappé For 2019 Champions League Clash
