And Federer left. The day the sport did not want to come and tennis was caught off guard, it was an emotional blow to Switzerland, Rafael Nadal and everyone who loves this sport. The Swiss legend waved farewell, the racket was laid down, and tennis felt orphaned. There will never be another like him.
With Novak Djokovic calling for changes, tears from Federer’s mother Lynette, the gaze of Rod Laver in the stands, the support of Stefan Edberg, and the final magic of the Basel prodigy who danced across the court, the curtain fell. The performance began in Basel, the moment someone decided a young Federer should hold a racket, and the farewell stretched through the space between the net and the post that held it. The Swiss star bid goodbye to a sport that had defined him for 24 years, a period during which he won a record eight Wimbledon titles and claimed two Teacher’s Cups.
This moment was not a trophy, but a farewell. O2 sold 20,000 tickets to honor Switzerland’s goodbye. In the stands, Laver shed the first tears as blue and red filled the arena—colors that symbolized Europe and unity beyond borders. The mother of a tennis genius, the one-handed backhand transmitter, Lynette, let out the night’s first cry. Others would follow. Messages floated through the crowd: “Don’t go.” “Never retire.” “Tennis won’t be the same without you.” Melancholy and devotion fused in a setting where the result mattered little to the moment.
As the master of ceremonies, Edberg—once Federer’s teen idol—took the stage, with Laver presiding, Bjorn Borg watching from the bench, and John McEnroe signaling a mixture of pride and relief. Djokovic offered quiet guidance between changes, and Nadal appeared beside Federer with a playful smile.
The Spaniard, once cast as a rival and sometimes the difficulty of Federer’s days, provided the support Federer needed to avoid facing the goodbye alone. A friend and a veteran ally from Manacor joined the moment, arriving as the birth of Nadal’s first child approached. When Federer needed companionship, Nadal stood nearby.
In a match with an uneven rhythm, where Federer’s competitive fire had cooled and Sock and Tiafoe observed their own roles, Nadal carried the legend’s legacy. The result was anecdotal and a bittersweet loss for Nadal and Federer, who had not played a competitive match in 14 months.
Since the 13-year-old Federer set aside football to chase tennis, September 23 became a turning point. Thousands of stories moved through London, a flood of images that shaped an entire generation’s dream. People grew up believing a Basel boy could imitate the bold moves of a self-tought striker and a backcourt magician, as though a higher power had gifted him a rare talent. Federer, whose first racket was wooden, embraced teammates who would define his career, joining forces with childhood idols such as Murray, Djokovic, Nadal, and Borg.
The emotional Swiss star burst into tears on the London circuit, calling out softly, Roger, Roger.
Goodbye, artist.
Federer: ‘I’m happy, not sad’
Swiss Roger Federer, after his final professional match, chose happiness over sorrow. He reflected on the moment with poise, saying the day was about gratitude and joy. “We somehow managed to get through this,” Federer noted, speaking from the sidelines.
“It was a great day. I’m happy, not sad. I enjoyed wearing my final moment, slippers and all. I’ve had friends here, my family, and my teammates. I’m very happy to have played the game,” he added. Tears did not stop as the ceremony reached its close. “I never expected all this. I just wanted to play tennis. It was great, I’d do it again. My final went just the way I wanted.”
Nadal: ‘When Roger goes, a part of my life goes too’
Spaniard Rafael Nadal acknowledged that Federer’s departure marked the end of a major chapter in his own life as well. “It was very emotional after all,” Nadal said at a press conference after sharing the last match of Federer’s professional journey. “It was an honor to be part of this significant moment in our sporting history.” He added, “Over the years, I’ve shared many memories. When Roger leaves the track, a meaningful part of my life also leaves.”
Nadal described the opening serves during the farewell as difficult, admitting he shook with emotion and struggled to serve normally. “But I enjoyed playing as a team with him. That makes it all the more special. I can’t point to a single moment. Tonight was unforgettable.” [citation]