Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in tears as Swiss great retires from tennis

It was an emotional evening in London as Roger Federer concluded his stellar tennis career at the Laver Cup on Friday evening.

Federer described his career as a "perfect journey" despite being denied a fairytale ending with a doubles defeat alongside Nadal.

Both Federer and his Spanish partner struggled to contain their tears as the 20-time Grand Slam champion completed his 24-year journey.

With a sellout crowd of 17,500 at London's O2 Arena willing him on, Federer returned after more than a year away to play alongside Nadal, having not played since the 2021 Wimbledon quarter-finals because of a knee injury. Last week, Federer announced his retirement aged 41.

Federer could have sealed victory in the Laver Cup doubles clash when he served at match point in a tense deciding tiebreak, but it was not to be as Americans Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe ripped up the script.

If there's one thing you watch today, make it this.#LaverCup | @rogerfederer pic.twitter.com/Ks9JqEeR6B

Sock thumped a forehand winner and sealed a 4-6, 7-6, 11-9 win for Team World.

The Swiss was overcome with emotion afterwards, hugging teammate Nadal and waving to the crowd.

He was unable to contain his emotion when addressing the arena during his on-court interview, breaking down in tears.

"Playing with Rafa on the same team, and having the guys, everybody here, all the legends... thank you," said Federer, who was joined on court by his parents, wife Mirka and their four children.

"It does feel like a celebration to me," he added. "I wanted to feel like this at the end and it is exactly what I hoped for so thank you. It has been a perfect journey and I would do it all over again."

"We'll get through this somehow, will we? Right?" he added.

"I'm happy,