'An important part of my life is leaving too,' says emotional Rafael Nadal of Roger Federer retirement

25.09.2022 - 23:57 edition.cnn.com

By Aimee Lewis, CNNUpdated 1023 GMT (1823 HKT) September 24, 2022 Photos: Tennis great Roger FedererRoger Federer hits a backhand during the Wimbledon final in 2017.Hide Caption1 of 43Photos: Tennis great Roger FedererFederer was born in Basel, Switzerland, on August 9, 1981.

He posted this photo to his Facebook account in 2016.Hide Caption2 of 43Photos: Tennis great Roger FedererA teenage Federer hits a shot while on his way to winning the junior title at Wimbledon in 1998.Hide Caption3 of 43Photos: Tennis great Roger FedererFederer with his parents, Robert and Lynette, in 1998.Hide Caption4 of 43Photos: Tennis great Roger FedererFederer hits a forehand at Wimbledon in 2003.

He would go on to win the tournament, his first grand slam title.Hide Caption5 of 43Photos: Tennis great Roger FedererFederer and Serena Williams pose with their Wimbledon trophies in 2003.Hide Caption6 of 43Photos: Tennis great Roger FedererFederer celebrates after defeating Lleyton Hewitt to win his first US Open in 2004.Hide Caption7 of 43Photos: Tennis great Roger FedererFederer signs a camera after a French Open match in 2005.Hide Caption8 of 43Photos: Tennis great Roger FedererFederer, top, plays Andy Roddick during the 2005 Wimbledon final.

Federer won five straight Wimbledons from 2003-2007.Hide Caption9 of 43Photos: Tennis great Roger FedererFederer and Andre Agassi hit balls on the helipad of the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2005.

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Roger Federer said farewell to tennis in the most perfect way possible at the Laver Cup this weekend.

Roger Federer retires: 'We all had tears in our eyes' - Bjorn Borg on very emotional scenes at Laver Cup

Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg has opened up about the emotional scenes as Roger Federer bowed out from professional tennis at the Laver Cup. The 41-year-old superstar retired from the sport in hugely emotional scenes on Friday night alongside his great friend and rival, Rafael Nadal, in what were unforgettable moments for global tennis. Ad Borg had a unique perspective on the events as Federer's captain with Team Europe, and he has revealed what he said to the Swiss legend before the match and what the scenes were really like afterwards.

Roger Federer retires: Novak Djokovic delivers classy tribute at Laver Cup

Roger Federer‘s glittering career came to an end on Friday night, after he and doubles partner Rafael Nadal lost to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe in the Laver Cup.

Tears flow as emotions rule at Roger Federer's farewell

Roger Federer stressed, between sobs, that his were happy tears - at first to the 17,500 spectators and then to his family, teenage daughters, Charlene Riva and Myla Rose. Beside him, on their court-side seat, was his great rival Rafael Nadal, he was dolorous. The Swiss covered the Spaniard's hand with his own, ostensibly to console him. Or to be consoled. The lines were smudged, it was that kind of an evening. Earlier Nadal and Federer went down 6-4, 6-7, 9-11 in the Laver Cup to the American pair of Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock in what was the 41-year-old's farewell game. The result is irrelevant. While the match itself had moments of Federer magic, including one at the start of the campaign, where the 41-year-old on a dodgy knee threaded the needle, the hole-like gap between post and net. The Americans won the point, even if Federer got the applause.

Roger Federer retires: 'Just so amazing' - Jim Courier on why Laver Cup farewell was so 'special' and 'emotional'

Tennis legend Jim Courier conducted a now-famous interview with Roger Federer after the Swiss superstar's final competitive tennis match at the Laver Cup, and he has reflected on what he learned from it and what it all meant. Courier gave the 41-year-old the floor to express his feelings after his hugely emotional final doubles match alongside his great rival and friend, Rafael Nadal, at the O2 Arena in London on Friday evening. Ad What followed was a powerful interview that had fans, players and family members all crying on the court as Federer opened up in what was his farewell post-match reflection.