Roger Federer retires: Rafael Nadal put his own personal issues on hold to be at his side

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

The Swiss maestro, who has a staggering 20 Grand Slam titles to his name, hung up his racket after an electrifying doubles clash on Friday night in London.

Playing alongside long friend and rival, Rafael Nadal, Federer put on a show for the gathered fans and the millions more watching on television as he looked to bow out in style.

Sadly, Nadal and Federer would ultimately fall to defeat after a marathon final set saw Team World claim the victory.

However, the result mattered little on a night that was all about celebrating the great man that is Federer.

It was an emotional night for all present as tennis said good-bye to one of its favourite sons with Nadal himself shedding floods of tears alongside Federer.

For your rival in chief to be so desperately overcome with emotion shows just what Federer means, but the fact that Nadal was even there at all highlights how highly he regards the Swiss.

Following the doubles clash, Nadal quickly withdrew from the tournament due to ‘personal reasons’, which could have been more than enough for him to turn down the invite to London.

Nadal admitted he hasn’t been sleeping well, is having to deal with heightened levels of stress and on top of all of this, had to leave his heavily pregnant wife at home to be part of Federer’s farewell.

If that wasn’t enough, Nadal is still struggling with the abdominal injury that has plagued him this year.

“I’m not good, I’m not good,” Nadal said, per ESPN. “The truth is these have been difficult weeks in that sense. Few, very few hours of sleep, a bit of stress in general, slightly more difficult situations than usual at home.

“As a result, well,