Novak Djokovic: Roger Federer's Last Match Among 'Most Beautiful Moments' I've Seen
Sep 24, 2022
Team Europe's Novak Djokovic, right, listens to Roger Federer during a match against Team World's Frances Tiafoe on second day of the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 in London, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Roger Federer played the final tennis match of his career alongside Rafael Nadal in a doubles match in the Laver Cup at O2 Arena in London on Friday, and despite a loss to Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock, his exit from the game is a moment tennis fans will never forget.
Novak Djokovic, who had been one of Federer's toughest competitors and longtime friends, described the moment while speaking with reporters Saturday:
"One of the most beautiful moments I've ever experienced in my life. What got me the most emotional was when his children came up and I saw them tearing up. Sorry Roger, I don't want to tear you up again but it was a beautiful moment."
Djokovic and Federer faced each other 50 times, with Djokovic leading the head-to-head 27-23, including 13-6 in finals. They last met in the 2020 Australian Open, and Djokovic defeated Federer in the semifinals.
Federer announced he would be retiring from tennis on Sept. 15, revealing that the Laver Cup would mark his final event.
The 41-year-old retires with 20 Grand Slams and 103 singles titles. He competed in more than 1,500 career matches and holds the record for the most consecutive weeks ranked No. 1 in the world at 237 weeks.
Roger Federer Reflects on 'Perfect Journey' After Final Match with Rafael Nadal
Sep 24, 2022
Switzerland's Roger Federer playing with Spain's Rafael Nadal of Team Europe serves against USA's Jack Sock and USA's Frances Tiafoe of Team World during their 2022 Laver Cup men's doubles tennis match at the O2 Arena in London, early on September 24, 2022. - Roger Federer brings the curtain down on his spectacular career in a "super special" match alongside long-time rival Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup in London on Friday. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Roger Federer's professional tennis career is over after he and Rafael Nadal fell in a Laver Cup doubles match to Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock in London on Friday evening.
The 20-time Grand Slam singles title winner, who announced his impending retirement Sept. 15, spoke on the court post-match and referenced his "perfect journey" in the sport.
Federer's remarkable resume includes eight Wimbledon titles, six Australian Open wins, five U.S. Open victories and the 2009 French Open crown. He also won gold in doubles during the 2008 Olympic Games in London.
The ATP ranked Federer at the No. 1 men's tennis player in the world for 310 weeks, including 237 consecutive weeks at one juncture. Federer was the world's No. 1 player at the end of the year five times.
The 41-year-old turned professional in 1998. Five years later, he won his first major at Wimbledon. That set off a dominant six-year stretch in which Federer won 14 majors from 2004-2009. He won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 2004, 2006 and 2007 and made the French Open finals in the latter two years.
Federer's run of consistent major wins ended in 2010 after the Australian Open, but he enjoyed a great second act in 2017 and 2018 when he won the Australian Open twice and the 2017 Wimbledon. He also made the 2019 Wimbledon finals at the age of 38.
Federer's career is now over, but he will always stand as one of the game's greatest all-time players. He was the king of tennis for much of the 2000s, and now, the legend's career has come to a graceful close.
Roger Federer Loses Farewell Doubles Match with Rafael Nadal at 2022 Laver Cup
Sep 23, 2022
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe react during the doubles match between Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe of Team World and Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe during Day One of the Laver Cup at The O2 Arena on September 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer played his final match alongside Rafael Nadal in the Laver Cup on Friday at O2 Arena in London, and the duo fell 6-4, 6(2)-7, 9-11 loss to American duo Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock.
Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, announced his retirement from professional tennis on Sept. 15, revealing the Laver Cup would mark his farewell from the sport. He said in a post on his social media accounts (h/t ESPN):
"As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I've worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body's capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear.
"I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career."
Friday's match was full of excitement and felt like the whole world was watching.
After a back-and-forth battle with the first set tied 4-4, Federer and Nadal combined to win the next two games and claim the set. Federer played an easy volley to bring up set point and took charge with a forehand shot that was too hot for Sock to handle.
The second set came down to a tiebreak, and Tiafoe and Sock came out on top to force a third set, winning the tiebreak 7-6 (2) as Federer was forced into an error.
The third set saw a great battle between the two sides, but Tiafoe and Sock proved to be too much for Federer and Nadal.
Down 9-8, Tiafoe fought back to tie the set 9-9 before responding to a Federer serve with a thunderous forehand return winner to give the Americans a 10-9 lead. With match point and Sock serving, the two teams engaged in a lengthy rally before Sock ended the match with a forehand winner to the corner.
Unbelievable rally from Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe 🤯
While Federer lost, he still goes down as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. He competed in more than 1,500 matches, winning 103 singles titles and 20 Grand Slams in his storied career.
20 Grand Slam titles 103 singles titles Oldest ever world No. 1 at age 36 Record 237 consecutive weeks at world No. 1 ranking Record 8x Wimbledon men’s singles titles 5x U.S. Open singles titles 6x Australian Open singles titles https://t.co/tSYqxgqvPY
Federer is the second tennis great to enter retirement of late, joining Serena Williams, who retired after the US Open earlier this month.
Roger Federer to Play Doubles with Rafael Nadal in Final Match Before Retirement
Sep 22, 2022
Switzerland's Roger Federer (L) and Spain's Rafael Nadal share a laugh during a press conference for Team Europe ahead of the 2022 Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London on September 22, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Roger Federer got his wish: His final
official match will be played alongside longtime friendly rival
Rafael Nadal in the 2022 Laver Cup on Friday.
The tournament pairings were announced
Thursday, with the two tennis icons set to play for Team Europe against the Team World tandem of
Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock in doubles. Federer, who confirmed his retirement
after this week's event, said Wednesday he was hoping to team up with
Nadal.
"Of course, no doubt,"
Federer told reporters. "I think it could be quite a unique
situation, if it were to happen. For as long as we battled together,
having had always this respect for one another, our families,
coaching teams, for us as well to go through a career we both have
had, come out the other side and have a nice relationship, is maybe a
great message to tennis and beyond. For that reason, it would be
great, I don't know if it will happen, but it would be great."
Federer and Nadal have faced off 40 times in
their legendary careers, and one of those encounters, the 2008
Wimbledon final, has a strong argument as the greatest tennis match
ever played. Nadal won that memorable meeting and holds a 24-16 edge
overall.
Despite frequently facing off on the
sport's biggest stages, the relationship remained cordial.
"After all the amazing things that
we share together on and off court, [to] be part of this historic
moment, going to be something yeah, amazing and unforgettable for
me," Nadal said Thursday. "And yeah, super excited, I hope
I can have a good answer time, play at a decent level and hopefully
together we can create a good moment and maybe win a match."
Federer didn't play any Grand Slam
tournaments this year because of lingering knee problems, and he
admitted Wednesday there's still a level of concern about his match
readiness.
"So here I am, trying to prepare
for one last doubles," he said. "We'll see how it is. I am
nervous, because I haven't played for so long. I hope it goes well."
The 20-time Grand Slam champion will be
replaced by Matteo Berrettini on the Team Europe roster after
Friday's doubles match.
Other members of the European squad
include Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Casper Ruud and Stefanos
Tsitsipas.
They'll battle a Team World group
featuring Tiafoe, Sock, Taylor Fritz, Félix Auger-Aliassime, Diego
Schwartzman and Alex de Minaur.
The tournament runs Friday through
Sunday at the O2 Arena in London.
Roger Federer: 'Impossible' to Compare Careers of Me, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
Sep 21, 2022
FILE - Serbia's Novak Djokovic, left, and Spain's Rafael Nadal look at each other as they pose for images prior to the final match of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, in this Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, file photo. When this year’s French Open starts Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Paris, Nadal will be seeking his 21st Grand Slam title to break a tie with Roger Federer for the men’s record, while Djokovic will try to close the gap with those two by earning his 19th.(AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)
Roger Federer is clearly among the best players in men's tennis history, but he doesn't have a clear answer for the Greatest of All Time debate between him, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
"How can you compare?" Federer asked, per Howard Fendrich of the Associated Press. "What’s better? To win when you're old or when you're young? I have no idea, you know? Is it better to win on clay or grass? Don't know. Is it better to have super dominant years or come back from injury? I don't know. It really is impossible to grasp."
Federer long held the record for the most Grand Slam singles titles and earned his 20th at the 2018 Australian Open. His two rivals in the Big Three have since passed him, with Nadal currently having 22 and Djokovic sitting at 21.
The 41-year-old Federer announced his retirement last week after struggling with injuries over the past few years.
It helped reignite the arguments over the best ever, which Federer admitted was "a good conversation" and "definitely a fun debate."
All three could have been even more dominant if not for having to face each other during the same era. Twice in his career, Federer won three of the four majors with only a French Open Final loss to Nadal keeping him from the calendar Grand Slam.
Nadal has clearly been the best on clay, winning 14 times at Roland Garros, while Djokovic's nine wins at the Australian Open are also a record. Federer was the most dominant on grass, winning Wimbledon a record eight times.
Federer also had arguably the most impressive run earlier in his career, reaching 10 straight Slam finals while staying No. 1 for 237 straight weeks. Nadal and Djokovic still have enough accomplishments to continue the debate long after all of them retire.
"Everybody calling each other 'GOAT.' 'GOAT.' 'GOAT.' 'GOAT.' 'GOAT.' 'GOAT.' I'm like, Come on, OK? There cannot be possibly that many 'GOATs,'" Federer joked. "In Switzerland, we have a lot of them, but they're in the fields."
Novak Djokovic Honors Roger Federer with IG Post After Retirement Announcement
Sep 16, 2022
Swiss tennis player Roger Federer (R) and Serbia's Novak Djokovic take part in the Centre Court Centenary Ceremony, on the seventh day of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Adrian DENNIS has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Swiss tennis player Roger Federer] instead of [Swiss former tennis player Roger Federer]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Novak Djokovic honored Roger Federer
with an Instagram post on Friday following his longtime on-court rival's
retirement announcement on Thursday.
Djokovic (21 Grand Slam titles) and
Federer (20) rank second and third on the all-time major championship
list in men's tennis history behind only Rafael Nadal (22).
The superstars faced off 50 times on
the ATP Tour during their decorated careers, with the final meeting
coming at the 2020 Australian Open. Djokovic held a slight 27-23
advantage in those head-to-head meetings, including six wins over
their last seven matchups.
Five of those clashes came in a Grand
Slam final, three at Wimbledon and two in the US Open, with Djokovic
winning four of those marquee matches.
"Obviously Roger is an icon of our
sport and people around the world love him," Djokovic said in 2021. "They love watching him play, love seeing him around. He's very
important for our sport on and off the court."
Injuries derailed the latter stages of
Federer's career as he appeared in just three Grand Slam draws since
the start of 2020. He still performed at a high level when healthy,
reaching the 2020 Australian Open semifinals and 2021 Wimbledon
quarterfinals.
His peak lasted nearly a decade,
winning 17 of his 20 major titles between 2003 and 2012, and he
probably would have won more during the second half of his career if
not for the presence of two other dominant players in the same era,
Djokovic and Nadal.
"I enjoy playing against him. I
really feel like we get the best out of each other," Federer said
about Djokovic in 2021. "We have different playing styles, [so] it
almost depends on the day, which court we're playing on and how the
matches have been leading up to that match."
The Swiss sensation's final official
tournament will feature his Serbian counterpart as a teammate. Both
players will represent Team Europe, alongside Nadal, Casper Ruud,
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andy Murray, against Team World in the
2022 Laver Cup next week.
Team World features Taylor Fritz, Félix
Auger-Aliassime, Diego Schwartzman, Frances Tiafoe, Alex de Minaur
and Jack Sock.
It makes Team Europe a heavy favorite
on paper and gives Federer a golden opportunity to end his Hall of
Fame career with one more tournament title.
Serena Williams Congratulates Roger Federer on Retirement: 'Always Looked Up to You'
Sep 16, 2022
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - MARCH 20: (L-R) Serena Williams of the United States speaks to Roger Federer of Switzerland during the ribbon cutting ceremony on the new Stadium Court at the Hard Rock Stadium, before the first match of the Miami Open on March 20, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
Roger Federer announced his intentions to retire after his next competition, becoming the second tennis legend to call it a career within the past few weeks.
Serena Williams, who retired after losing in the third round of the U.S. Open, offered kind words to Federer in a touching Instagram post.
"I have always looked up to you and admired you," Williams wrote. "Our paths were always so similar, so much the same. You inspired countless millions and millions of people - including me - and we will never forget."
Williams continued: "I applaud you and look forward to all that you do in the future. Welcome to the retirement club. And thank you for being you."
Unlike Williams, the Swiss superstar won't be ending his career at a Grand Slam. Federer, who turned 41 last month, announced that he will retire after participating in the Laver Cup, which takes place Sept. 23 to Sept. 25 in London. He cited injuries as the reason for his retirement.
"As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries," Federer said. "I've worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body's capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear."
Undoubtedly one of the greatest male tennis players of all time, Federer will finish his career with 20 Grand Slam singles titles, the third-most behind Rafael Nadal (22) and Novak Djokovic (21). Williams holds the all-time Open Era record with 23 major singles titles.
The retirements of both Federer and Williams represent the beginning of tennis' shift to the next generation of stars. The U.S. Open was won by two players early in their careers: 21-year-old Iga Świątek, who won her third career major, and 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, who won his first.
Rafael Nadal Wishes Roger Federer 'All the Happiness' After Tennis Legend Retires
Sep 15, 2022
Switzerland's Roger Federer (R) hugs Spain's Rafael Nadal (L) during their tennis match at The Match in Africa at the Cape Town Stadium, in Cape Town on February 7, 2020. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) (Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal wished fellow tennis legend Roger Federer the best Thursday after Federer announced his retirement from the sport.
Nadal noted that while it is a "sad day" to see his "friend and rival" retire, he hopes Federer has nothing but happiness in retirement:
We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still lots of things to do together, we know that. For now, I truly wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your kids, your family and enjoy what’s ahead of you. I’ll see you in London @LaverCup
Federer is arguably the greatest men's tennis player of all time, but at age 41, injuries caught up to him and have prevented him from playing in any Grand Slam tournaments since reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon last year.
With 20 career Grand Slam titles during the Open Era, Federer is behind only Nadal and Novak Djokovic on the all-time list. Federer is also first for the most Wimbledon men's titles with eight.
Federer had many memorable matches and rivalries during his career, but none came close to matching what he and Nadal did together.
All told, Federer and Nadal faced each other 40 times, and Nadal holds a 24-16 advantage. Fourteen of those matches were in Grand Slam tournaments, and Nadal won 10 of them.
Federer managed two Wimbledon finals and one Australian Open final win over Nadal, though, and he defeated the Spaniard in their last match, which was in the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2019.
The Swiss star went on to lose a five-set thriller to Djokovic in what was the last Grand Slam final of his illustrious career.
While it is possible Djokovic will be considered the top player of all time, tennis was at one of its highest points when Federer and Nadal dominated the sport and faced each other on its biggest stages time and time again.
Federer's retirement is a sign that time may be getting short for Nadal as well, and it became even clearer at the U.S. Open that the young guns are starting to emerge as 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz won the tournament.
A golden era in men's tennis is coming to an end, but the respect that two of its biggest stars have for each other will mean it's remembered fondly for years to come.
Roger Federer Announces Retirement from Tennis; Legend Has Won 20 Grand Slam Titles
Sep 15, 2022
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 03: Roger Federer of Switzerland greets the audience during the Centre Court Centenary Celebration during day seven of The Championships Wimbledon 2022 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 03, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images)
Another tennis icon is hanging up the racket. Roger Federer announced Thursday he will retire from professional tennis following his appearance at the Laver Cup next week.
In a voice message posted on Twitter, Federer called it a "bittersweet decision" to walk away after a 24-year career in which he won 20 Grand Slam tournament titles.
Injuries have kept Federer from playing in any tournaments this year. His most recent appearance was at last year's Wimbledon when he lost in the quarterfinals.
There was some hope that Federer might return to the ATP Tour in 2023. The 41-year-old told Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger (h/t Reuters) in June he was "definitely" hoping to get back on the court on a regular basis next year.
"I haven't planned more than the Laver Cup and Basel yet," he said. "After Basel, the season is over anyway. It's important for me to get fit again so that I can train fully. Once I've done that, I can choose how many tournaments I play and where."
Federer's decision to retire from tennis comes on the heels of Serena Williams' appearance at the U.S. Open in what is expected to be her final tournament. She lost to Ajla Tomljanovic 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1 in the third round.
This era of men's tennis has been defined by the dominance of Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. They have combined to win 63 Grand Slam singles titles since 2003.
Federer became the first men's player to reach 20 Grand Slam titles with his victory over Marin Čilić in the 2018 Australian Open final.
As things stand, Federer's last victory was at the 2019 Swiss Indoors Basel. His last appearance in a Grand Slam final was at Wimbledon in 2019. He lost a five-set thriller to Djokovic that took nearly five hours to complete.
Federer holds the men's record for most Wimbledon singles titles (eight) and the second-most ATP Tour wins (103; Jimmy Connors leads with 109).
The 2022 Laver Cup will begin Sept. 23 at the O2 Arena in London.
![Swiss tennis player Roger Federer (R) and Serbia's Novak Djokovic take part in the Centre Court Centenary Ceremony, on the seventh day of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 3, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Adrian DENNIS has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Swiss tennis player Roger Federer] instead of [Swiss former tennis player Roger Federer]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)](https://media.bleacherreport.com/image/upload/v1663341505/govam5w4erbjxzwi9b0l.jpg)
