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“An important part of my life is gone”

Tears and emotion at Roger Federer’s ‘last dance’. The Swiss played the last game of his career in the Laver Cup 2022 this Friday. And he did it accompanied by Rafa Nadal, leaving one of the most exciting images of the tennis rivalry: the two tennis players holding each other and crying after the last ‘game, set and match’ of Basel.

A rivalry that is much more than that and that Rafa Nadal has defined in three words. With his goodbye, “an important part” of his life leaves, the Spanish tennis player has pointed out.

A great rival and friend at the same time, Nadal was chosen by Federer as a partner to play his last doubles match at the Laver Cup which, despite the defeat, ended as an emotional tribute to the Swiss tennis player.

“Very emotive”

Nadal admitted that it was a hard daywith a “very emotional” ending in which he could not suppress the tears on the track.

“For me it has been a huge honor to be part of this incredible moment in the history of our sport and at the same time to have shared many things together for so many years,” he said.

“When Roger leaves the circuit, an important part of my life also leaves,” said the 36-year-old Spaniard.

With 42 Grand Slam titles between them, the nearly two-decade rivalry between Federer and Nadal It has marked an era both on and off the slopes, where they have set an example for their elegance and friendship.

In the press conference after the match, Nadal described his relationship with Federer as “a very long and positive journey”.

“For me, he has always been the guy to beat,” said the Spaniard. “At some point we were probably the biggest rivals, but always in a very good way, I think.”

“We have a lot of respect for each other, the families, the teams. I mean, we’ve never had any big problems (…) As we got older, I think every year the personal relationship got better and better », she assured.

“I am very proud to be part of his career in some way,” he said. “But it makes me even happier to end our race as friends after all we’ve shared on the track as rivals,” he added.

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