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"Dinner with some friends." This is what Roger Federer tweeted on Thursday when he was out in a tuxedo with Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Tennis heroes among themselves.
Photo:
Clive Brunskill / Getty Images for Laver Cup
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Federer, 41, announced his retirement from competitive sports last week.
But he still wanted to play one tournament, so the choice fell on the Laver Cup, which Federer helped initiate - a continental comparison of the best tennis players.
Federer enters the big stage again.
Photo: ANDY RAIN/EPA
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At the first press conference on Wednesday, Federer explained once again why his body no longer allows professional tennis.
"I was afraid to face the media, fans and everything," said the Swiss.
"Now I can talk about it normally here without getting emotional." But Federer didn't really want to succeed.
Photo:
ANDY RAIN/EPA
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Normally, tennis is not a request concert.
An exception was made for Federer at the Laver Cup.
He wanted to step down alongside Rafael Nadal (right) and the two great rivals of recent years were nominated in Team Europe for Friday's doubles.
Photo:
John Walton / dpa
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What now seemed like a class reunion among friends was once an unprecedented dominance of world sport.
Murray, Djoković, Federer and Nadal (from right to left) shaped tennis for almost 20 years, together the quartet won 66 Grand Slam titles and was at the top of the world rankings in alternating order for over 900 weeks.
Photo:
GLYN KIRK / AFP
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Crime scene o2 Arena in London: Roger Federer was back on the tennis court, initially only in training.
Photo:
John Walton/AP
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Team boss of Team Europe is none other than Björn Borg (l.).
The Swede shaped the sport in the 1970s and retired in 1982 at the age of 26.
Federer lasted much longer - and clearly had fun alongside one of his predecessors.
Photo:
John Walton / dpa
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In any case, the focus at the Laver Cup is on having fun, no world ranking points are awarded.
Photo:
GLYN KIRK / AFP
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They keep playing and can further improve their Grand Slam title record: Rafael Nadal (l., 22 wins) and Novak Djoković
(21).
Photo: Julian Finney / Getty Images for Laver Cup
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Roger Federer (M.) "only" achieved 20 Grand Slam titles.
For many fans and experts, he is still the best tennis player in history.
Photo:
Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup
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It all started on Friday and Casper Ruud probably never had so much tennis know-how behind him.
Photo:
GLYN KIRK / AFP
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The Norwegian, a finalist at the French and US Opens this year, showed some spectacular shots in the opening game against the American Jack Sock.
Photo: GLYN KIRK / AFP
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Ruud defeated Sock 6:4, 5:7, 10:7 and received congratulations from his role models.
Photo:
GLYN KIRK / AFP
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Stefanos Tsitsipas then gave Diego Schwartzman no chance.
Europe led 2-0 against the »Rest of the World« team.
In the Laver Cup, there is one point for every win on the first day, two points on the second day and three points on the third day.
Whoever has 13 points first wins.
Photo: Kin Cheung/AP
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Before the eagerly awaited Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal entered the square, it was Andy Murray's turn.
The 35-year-old Brit also grabbed the first set against Australian Alex de Minaur.
Photo: GLYN KIRK / AFP
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But then the 23-year-old Minaur turned up the heat and defeated Murray 5:7, 6:3, 10:7.
It was the first point for the »Rest of the World« team.
Photo: GLYN KIRK / AFP
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But then the attention of the spectators was directed towards Federer and Nadal.
The still injured German tennis professional Alexander Zverev did not want to miss the Swiss farewell.
Photo: DYLAN MARTINEZ / REUTERS
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As soon as Federer entered the field, the spectators cheered him on.
The ticket prices had shot up in the past few days, everyone wanted to see the champion live again.
Photo: GLYN KIRK / AFP
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In the game, Federer and Nadal were in good shape.
The long break was noticeable for the Swiss player, but he was able to rely on his serve in particular.
Photo: Kin Cheung/AP
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In terms of sport, the duel with Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe took a back seat.
Ultimately, Federer and Nadal lost 6: 4, 6: 7, 9:11.
Photo: DYLAN MARTINEZ / REUTERS
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Nevertheless, the two longtime rivals had a lot of fun during the game.
Photo: DYLAN MARTINEZ / REUTERS
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After that it got emotional: After the game, the two sat crying on the bench and cried.
"When Roger leaves the tour, an important part of my life also goes," Nadal said afterwards.
Photo:
IMAGO/Ella Ling/Shutterstock / IMAGO/Shutterstock
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Applause for the Swiss: It is still uncertain whether Roger Federer will come back for show matches.
"All I know is that I would like to play places I've never played before or say thank you to all the people who have supported me all these years," he said.
Photo: ANDY RAIN/EPA
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Federer's wife Mirka was also visibly moved by her husband's final departure from tennis.
Photo: Kin Cheung/AP
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Both his own teammates and his opponents cheered Federer.
20,000 spectators cheered.
Photo: GLYN KIRK / AFP
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Then the maestro said goodbye to the big tennis stage.
"This is not the end, life goes on," he said afterwards.
Photo: ANDY RAIN/EPA
krä/kjo
