Emotional Roger Federer wishes he could ‘go on forever’ as he prepares to retire from tennis
A historic night of tennis awaits in London as Roger Federer bids farewell to the sport and plays the final match of his career alongside Rafael Nadal in the Laver Cup. Federer, who will go down as perhaps the greatest champion in tennis history, will retire from the sport at the age of 41 and the moment has brought the sport and his rivals together at the O2 Arena.
Federer’s wish to play his final match with his great rival Nadal has been granted, setting up a special occasion with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray also competing for Team Europe. They will be taking on Team World, who are led by John McEnroe and have lost all four previous editions of the matchplay-style event.
Before tonight’s doubles, three singles matches will be played. Casper Ruud takes on Jack Sock in the opening match, followed by Stefanos Tsitsipas against Diego Schwartzman. Murray then faces Alex De Minaur before the eyes of the world focus on Federer for a final time and the Swiss brings his legendary career to a close. Follow live updates of the opening day of the Laver Cup, below:
Laver Cup 2022 LIVE: Latest updates from Federer’s final tournament
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Laver Cup 2022: Federer and Nadal opponents eyeing upset in ‘beyond iconic’ clash
Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe are relishing their role as pantomime villains in Friday night’s “beyond iconic” doubles showdown with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Federer, the winner of 20 grand slam titles, is partnering his oldest rival Nadal at the Laver Cup in what will be the Swiss great’s final match of an illustrious 24-year career.
But Sock, nowadays more of a doubles specialist, and Tiafoe represent a serious challenge to the exalted Team Europe duo.
Team World, captained by John McEnroe, are still looking for their first win in the fifth edition of the event, and Sock said: “I think we have a great chance.
“Obviously tomorrow night is going to be a beyond iconic, evening doubles match. I’m just stoked to be a part of it with my guy Foe next to me.
“We will go out and enjoy the moment, but not going to hold anything back. Sorry, Roger. Don’t want to spoil the night.”
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal opponents eyeing upset in ‘beyond iconic’ clash
Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe will face the two tennis greats in the Laver Cup doubles on Friday night.
Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 11:48
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Laver Cup 2022: Nadal delighted to play role in ‘historic’ Federer farewell
Rafael Nadal is used to pressure but even he will be feeling the nerves when he lines up alongside Roger Federer for the Swiss great’s final match.
Federer will bring the curtain down on his illustrious career by partnering Nadal in doubles at the Laver Cup after Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg granted the 20-time grand slam champion his wish to compete alongside his oldest and greatest rival.
The ‘GOAT Dream Team’, with 42 major titles between them, will face Americans Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe of Team World at London’s 02 on Friday night.
“It’s a different kind of pressure,” said Nadal. “After all the amazing things that we shared together on and off court, to be part of this historic moment is going to be something amazing, unforgettable for me.
“I hope I can have a good chance to play at a decent level, and hopefully together we can create a good moment and maybe win a match. So let’s see.”
Nadal delighted to play role in ‘historic’ Federer farewell at Laver Cup
The two tennis greats will compete alongside each other in the doubles at the Laver Cup.
Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 11:35
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Laver Cup 2022: Federer believes Nadal partnership will send a strong message
Federer: “I think it could be quite, I don’t know, a unique situation, that if it were to happen for as long as we battled together to having always this respect for one another, the families, our coaching teams, we always got along really well.
“For us as well to go through a career that we both have had and to come out on the other side and being able tohave a nice relationship I think is maybe a great message as well to not just tennis but sports and maybe even beyond.
“For that reason I think it would be great. I think it could be obviously a special moment.”
(Getty Images for Laver Cup)
Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 11:31
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Laver Cup 2022: Federer retires as tennis’s greatest champion
For one final time, Roger Federer will feel the knots in his stomach as he faces the long wait before a big match. It is not a feeling he will miss but at least it is one he will not have to do alone. Federer’s retirement from tennis is a historic moment for a sport he has helped define, but it will not be the lonely experience he once feared. Instead, at the O2 Arena in London, the city that has been the “most special place” of his career, the Laver Cup will host the scene of a sport coming together to bid farewell to perhaps its greatest champion.
It is fitting, and a career that has been defined by poise and grace will have a closing chapter that strikes the right balance between competition and commemoration.
Roger Federer retires as tennis’s greatest champion ahead of final goodbye
Federer is at peace with his journey as he prepares for the final match of his career at the Laver Cup
Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 11:25
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Laver Cup 2022: What is today’s order of play?
Friday September 23, 2022
Match 1 – Casper Ruud vs Jack Sock
Match 2 – Stefanos Tsistipas vs Deigo Schwartzman
Match 3 – Andy Murray vs Alex De Minaur
Match 4 – Roger Federer / Rafael Nadal vs Jack Sock / Frances Tiafoe
Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 11:15
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Laver Cup 2022: What are the teams?
1st alternate: Matteo Berrettini
2nd alternate: Cameron Norrie
Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 11:10
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Laver Cup 2022: How does the tournament work?
Singles and doubles matches are played on each day, with Friday’s matches worth one point, Saturday’s worth two and Sunday’s worth three.
Each player plays in at least one singles match over the first two days but no player can play singles more than twice during the three days.
At least four players from each team must play doubles but no doubles combination can be used more than once.
Best of three sets are played, but the third set is a 10-point match tiebreaker if the first two sets are split.
The winning team is the first to reach 13 points. With 24 points available, a decider will be played in the event of a 12-12 draw.
Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 11:06
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Laver Cup 2022: How to watch Roger Federer’s final match
The tournament will be shown in the UK on Eurosport. It will also be available to stream online on Discovery Plus.
Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 11:04
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Laver Cup 2022: What time is Federer playing tonight?
Federer will be playing alongside his great rival Nadal in Friday night’s doubles, which will take place following Andy Murray’s match against Alex De Minaur.
The evening session begins at 7pm so Federer and Nadal, who play Sock and Tiafoe, may play at around 9pm local time at the O2 Arena – but it could be slightly earlier or later.
Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 11:02
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Laver Cup 2022 LIVE: Good morning
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Laver Cup and the final match of Roger Federer’s career.
A historic night of tennis awaits in London as Federer bids farewell to the sport and plays his final match alongside Rafael Nadal.
Federer, who will go down as perhaps the greatest champion in tennis history, will retire from the sport at the age of 41 and the moment has brought the sport and his rivals together at the O2 Arena.
Federer’s wish to play his final match with his great rival Nadal has been granted, setting up a special occasion with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray also competing for Team Europe.
They will be taking on Team World, who are led by John McEnroe and have lost all four previous editions of the matchplay-style event.
Jamie Braidwood23 September 2022 11:00