LONDON: Adored by few, respected by all, on Friday, Roger Federer ended a remarkable 25-year career in tennis with a double accomplice to his arch-rival, Rafael Nadal, at the Laver Cup, London.
With 103 titles on the ATP Tour, including 20 Grand Slams, 310 weeks at the top of the rankings, including 237 titles in a row during his longest period, Federer’s “king” trail in tennis will not fade.
Great excitement ran through the O2 Arena and its approximately 17,000 spectators when he last entered the court as a professional tennis player, under the watchful eye of his family, unavoidably moved, in the stands.
Troubled with his right knee for too long and faced with the lack of sufficient progress that scanners revealed a few weeks ago, he finally announced his irrevocable departure eight days ago.
He has chosen the Laver Cup, the team match between Europe and the Rest of the World, which he has helped create, in London, a city that has seen some of his greatest exploits at Wimbledon or the Masters, to earn his respect.
After almost a year and a half without playing, a single would be too demanding on his damaged physique, but the double, with its quality of serve, touch and performance, remains completely on the string.
It also allows him to surround himself with a team, and what a team! He had Nadal by his side, his one-night partner, but also Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, two players of his generation and whom he saw growing until they challenged his lead and even overtook him, as well as the next generation, embodied by Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Berrettini. , who will replace him in the remainder of the Laver Cup.
The presence of Björn Borg on the bench, as captain, as well as John McEnroe on the bench for the Rest of the World and Rod Laver, the first player to win four Grand Slams twice in a calendar year and to whom the competition pays tribute, did not look out of place in tennis celebrations. this.
The Laver Cup formula, which allows the entire team to approach players during side changes for advice or encouragement, provides a very friendly atmosphere at this point between rivals and friends.
The match itself can feel like an exhibition at times, but not playing hard and not playing your best tennis is almost a lèse-majesté crime.
Jack Sock had warned before the game: “We will seize the moment but we will not hold back, sorry Roger”.
At 7-7 in the third-set super tie-break, Tafoe didn’t hesitate to “turn on” Roger Federer at the net and Nadal returned at 9-9.
Prior to that, on a winning forehand volley, he offered his men the first set ball, winning one of Sock’s non-returnable passes (6-4), to the greatest public delight.
However, a few unusual misfires came as a reminder that the masters were no longer as efficient and a lost second set in the tie-break (7-2) made it possible to delay the deadline a little longer.
The third set was an intense crossover, with Federer serving to win the match 9-8, but in the end it was America who spoiled the party a bit.
Tears quickly flooded Federer who received a standing ovation from the entire audience.
Given his incredible career and his importance in the evolution of the sport in the 21st century, this defeat will be an adventure and he himself says he is ready for his new life starting on a London night.
“You always want to play forever. I love being on the pitch, I love playing against people, I love traveling. I never find it difficult for me, whether I win or learn from my defeats, everything is perfect, I love my career, ” he said.
But “everyone has to leave the competition one day. It will be a very, very great adventure. And for that, yes, I am very grateful”, he concluded.
