Happy tears for Federer as he hints at farewell tour

Roger Federer hinted at a potential farewell tour after he played the final professional match of his illustrious career in the early hours of Saturday morning at the O2 in London.

The 20-time grand-slam champion could not bring the curtain down with one final competitive victory after losing 6-4 6-7 (2) 9-11 alongside doubles partner Rafael Nadal to Team World pair Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at the Laver Cup.

Both Federer and Nadal were in tears at the conclusion of a two hour and 14 minute battle that saw the former world number ones squander match point much to the disappointment of a buoyant 17,500-capacity crowd.

Not that the final result mattered with standing ovations afforded to the 41-year-old throughout his 'last dance' and plenty of highlights, including a 116mph ace and one sensational drop shot winner in the deciding tie-breaker.

Federer had announced last week the doubles contest on night one of the Laver Cup, the Ryder Cup-style team competition he set up, would be his last on the ATP Tour but the door has been left open for more chances to see him on tennis courts around the world, just not in a professional capacity.

"I have no plans whatsoever like where, how, when. All I know is I would love to go and play places I have never played before or go say thank yous for years to come to all the people that have been so supportive of me," he said during a press conference that did not finish until after 2am on Saturday.

"Because the hard part about the Laver Cup was that tickets were already sold out. You know, the people who maybe would have also loved to be here couldn't make it.

"Maybe there is another way down the stretch we can party all together."

Defeat on a comeback was finally admitted publicly by Federer