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Two of the greatest athletes of all time: Rafael Nadal (left) and Roger Federer, here in July 2019
Photo:
ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP
Tennis superstar Roger Federer, 41, will play the last match of his career alongside Rafael Nadal.
The two longtime rivals form the European team's doubles at the Laver Cup in London on Friday night.
The organizers announced this on Thursday.
Federer had already expressed his desire to compete with Nadal in advance.
"I think it would be a very special situation if it came to that," said the Swiss.
Opponents are Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe from the USA.
Federer is back on the field for the first time since losing the Wimbledon quarter-finals against Hubert Hurkacz a year ago, after which he ends his career with 20 Grand Slam titles on the credit side.
He is only surpassed by the Serbian Novak Djoković (21) and the Spaniard Nadal, who holds the record with 22 titles.
Nadal was honored by the expected "unforgettable" evening.
“One of the most important, if not the most important, players in my career is retiring.
In the end, this moment becomes difficult.
I'm incredibly excited and grateful to be playing with him," the 36-year-old said at a press conference.
Federer had his right knee operated on for the third time last year.
As he announced on Wednesday, he will not compete individually in the continental competition between Team Europe and Team World.
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