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'A sad day' - Rafael Nadal hails fellow legend Roger Federer and wishes 'this day would never have come'

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has paid tribute to his great rival Roger Federer after the Swiss superstar announced his retirement on Thursday evening. Federer, 41, announced in a social media post that after this year's Laver Cup — which runs from September 23 to 25 — he will step away from tennis for good after a series of injuries and operations. Ad Nadal, who has 22 Grand Slam titles to Federer's 20, is held up as one of the men's tennis' «Big Three» alongside Federer and Serbia's Novak Djokovic.

Rafael Nadal sends emotional message to Roger Federer after retirement announcement

Rafael Nadal has penned an emotional message to his ‘friend and rival’ Roger Federer after the Swiss legend confirmed his retirement plans.

It was an 'honour to share all these years' with Federer, says Nadal

Rafael Nadal said it was "an honour" to share "amazing moments" with Roger Federer after the Swiss great announced his retirement from tennis on Thursday. Federer, 41, said he would retire after the Laver Cup in London later in September, having not played since Wimbledon 2021 because of a knee problem. "Dear Roger, my friend and rival, I wish this day would never have come," Nadal wrote on Twitter.

Roger Federer retires from tennis: Rafael Nadal pays tribute

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have been rivals on the tennis court for well over a decade now, but that rivalry is ending, with the Swiss star hanging up his racket after the upcoming Laver Cup.

Watch: Roger Federer's Emotional 2003 Wimbledon Interview After His First Slam Win

Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer is to retire after next week's Laver Cup after admitting on Thursday his battles with a knee problem had forced him to call time on his historic career. "The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event," he said in a statement posted on social media. The 41-year-old winner of 20 Grand Slam titles has been out of action since a quarter-final loss at Wimbledon in 2021, after which he underwent his third knee surgery in 18 months. "The last 24 years on tour have been an incredible adventure," he wrote.

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'A sad day' - Rafael Nadal hails fellow legend Roger Federer and wishes 'this day would never have come'

Rafael Nadal sends emotional message to Roger Federer after retirement announcement

It was an 'honour to share all these years' with Federer, says Nadal

Roger Federer retires from tennis: Rafael Nadal pays tribute

Watch: Roger Federer's Emotional 2003 Wimbledon Interview After His First Slam Win

Roger Federer's journey to the top of the men's game

Roger Federer retires: Five times the Swiss icon shocked the tennis world

Roger Federer's retirement draws reaction on social media: 'You changed the game'