Roger Federer bids farewell as emotional night with Rafael Nadal ends in defeat but celebration at Laver Cup

Roger Federer was beaten in his final ever tennis match as the Swiss legend and Rafael Nadal lost out to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe in their doubles rubber at the Laver Cup. During a week which featured plenty of tributes and celebrations for Federer, the team dubbed 'Fedal' were beaten 4-6 7-6(2) 11-9 by the Team World duo in London. Ad Federer and Nadal received an emotional standing ovation as they walked out together in front of a sold out O2 Arena in London.

Laver Cup'Thank you for always being there' — Federer greeted by Laver after final match19 MINUTES AGO There were some smiles and jokes early on due to the occasion, in what was a tight affair with both teams unable to find a breakthrough. A remarkable moment in the third game saw Federer produce a moment of magic with a shot even he has probably never played before. He ripped forehand down the line with the ball going through the net, where it meets the post on the tramlines, and into the other side of the court.

It led to huge cheers in the crowd and on the court between Federer and Nadal. “My eye was still good!” joked Federer at the change of ends as the set continued on serve. Following more coaching from Novak Djokovic and a fan taking off 11 Federer shirts, the team dubbed Fedal saved the first break point of the match to lead 5-4 and broke themselves to snatch the opening set to the delight of the fans.

Sock and Tiafoe fought back early in the second set by breaking in the third game, only for Team Europe to break back in the sixth game to level things at 3-3. There was a slightly controversial moment when Tiafoe allegedly double hit the ball in the sixth game, which may have been legal since it was done in one swing. Although the match became more