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Roger Federer (r.) before the doubles with Rafael Nadal (middle) and with Novak Djokovic at his side
Photo:
ANDY RAIN/EPA
Roger Federer has lost the last professional match of his tennis career.
At the Laver Cup, a team competition with no significance for the world rankings, Federer played alongside his long-time rival Rafael Nadal for the European team and delighted the fans in London with some spectacular rallies.
The two Americans Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe played for the »Rest of the World« team and won 4:6, 7:6, 11:9.
Federer announced his retirement last week and named the Laver Cup as the last tournament.
The Swiss player, who has been injured for over a year, would have liked to return for a longer period, but his injured knee makes a real comeback impossible.
That's why the 41-year-old refrained from playing individually in London and named Nadal as his partner of choice.
Team Europe also includes Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Casper Ruud, Matteo Berrettini and Stefanos Tsitsipas, all of whom stayed close to the pitch and chatted with Federer and Nadal during the breaks.
Federer's lack of match practice was noticeable, but he could still rely on his serve.
Overall, the focus of this match was on having fun, but Nadal in particular played very motivated and wanted to give Federer a win at the end.
However, Tiafoe and Sock held up well and gave the veterans nothing.
In the match tiebreak of the third set, it was mainly Tiafoe who took a lot of risks and played hard on the body at times.
After a missed match point and the narrow defeat, Federer shed tears on the court.
On the first day of the Laver Cup, Ruud and Tsitsipas won their singles against Sock and Diego Schwartzman, Murray lost to Alex di Minaur.
Organized by Federer's management agency, the event awards one point for each win on day one, two points on day two and three points on day three.
The first team to reach 13 points wins the cup, named after Australian tennis legend Rod Laver.
kra
