day Goodbye He came even though no one wanted to. Roger Federer held onto his emotions to the fullest but collapsed for a hug after giving up on the last point. John McEnroe. The 20,000 fans at the O2 Arena gave him a standing ovation. It was the farewell of a sports giant. He missed a 9-8 ‘match ball’ and served in his hand. He had tried the ‘ace’, which was overlooked for millimeters, but the Americans Jack Socks Y francis tiafoe They won 4-6, 7-6 (7-2) and 11-9, giving the points a 2-2 draw between Europe and the Rest of the World on the first day of the Laver Cup.
This result didn’t matter. No one was going to make Federer’s party bitter, though he celebrated with tears. It wasn’t a funeral. I didn’t want this. It was tears of joy she radiated by hugging an emotion. Raphael Nadal a day on the dance floor where he shared the last dance and happily applauded as he lived that moment with the rest of the European team unique in tennis history. September 23 will be the last party of a sports giant legend’s farewell.
And that party had paying fans at the O2 Arena. up to 50,000 euros To attend Federer’s last game. this 20,000 tickets have been sold out for months and long before Federer confirmed his presence and farewell at the tournament he organized and launched in 2017. Rod LaverAt the age of 84, the last winner of the Grand Slam (1962 and 1969), the idol of the Swiss tennis player.
“I’m happy to play tennis. It was an excellent trip, I would do it again.”
His parents are Lynett and Robert; His wife Mirka and their four children celebrated their farewell, which was announced from the rink, though not from tennis, from the stands. “I’m happy, very happy. It’s great to be able to play this game and be with everyone. It was an excellent trip and I would do it again”he said to an old trick on the road, Jim CourierWho wanted to be present at this farewell?
1,750 matches since 1998
from the tournament Wimbledon Federer has not played a game this year. He finished his career with 1,750 games before he hit the track. 224 pairs (8 titles, last one gold medal), Since making his track debut at the Gstaad tournament in 1998, he has been ranked 702nd in the world at the age of 17. More than two decades later, Wilson has closed his racket with 103 titles (53 finals), including 20 Grand Slams, 28 Masters 1,000s and a Davis Cup. It’s a long and fruitful road to walk Top of the rankings for 310 weeks 1 of the ATP and finished the year five times.
Until the last day, until the final blow, Federer remained in office. grace on the tennis court and with a gentle demeanor that didn’t stop him from winning and accumulating titles. A philosophy of life he decided to adopt after a rebellious first few years. “I didn’t feel good going forward like this”, the tennis player has agreed to explain his condition these days. radical change attitude. Federer has become the standard in the way he fights without anger, without respect or even friendship with his opponents.
emotional farewell
Your farewell letter shows that special charisma that the tennis player admires beyond the courts. “I want to give thanks to my competitors I am very lucky to have played many epic matches that I will never forget. we fight fair passion and intensity. I have always done my best to respect the history of this sport. I feel extremely grateful. We push each other and together we take tennis to new levels,” he wrote.
Some fans paid up to 50,000 euros to experience the historic night in London.
In London, a few miles from his garden WimbledonFederer, who wants to play one last game, is surrounded by major rivals, with whom they have shared 66 Grand Slams for 24 years. “He’s probably one of the most iconic athletes in history. Nadal said at the Laver Cup gala dinner shared by all the players the day before, “If we’re going to talk about perfection on the tennis court, he’s the one.”
biggest competitor
Federer chose Nadal as his partner. unique and historic night After announcing his withdrawal on September 15. Mallorcan, who was about to become a father, did not want to miss the party at the O2 Arena and share the moment with his biggest rival. Since facing Federer and losing for the first time in Miami (2004), Nadal has been the opponent that has made Switzerland’s existence the most painful. Inside 40 times Nadal won 24 matches against himself, 10 of which were in Grand Slam tournaments.
Federer failed to win his only Roland Garros (2009) until the day Mallorcan didn’t expect him in their four finals in Paris. At Wimbledon, where Federer dominated his fights with Nadal (3-1), the Swiss awarded him the crown in 2008 and number 1 for the first time in weeks. Of all these battles, Switzerland won in the final. Australia (2017) was perhaps the match that allowed Federer to continue on the circuit until he said goodbye at 41.
First day
Norway before Federer’s farewell Casper Ruud, World number 2 gave Europe the first point with a 6-4, 5-7, 10-7 win over American Jack Sock in the decisive ‘super tie break’. Hellenic Stefanos Tsitsipas The Argentine won Diego Schwartzman for the second time against 6-2 and 6-1, while the Australian Alex DeMinaur Defeated the Scotsman to open the account for the Rest of the World team Andy Murray local idol, 7-5, 3-6 and 10-7.