Roger Federer’s last game has arrived – Liberation

The moment the tennis world has been dreading for so long has arrived. Roger Federer, iconic tennis player adored by some and respected by all, draws a line Friday evening on nearly 25 years of a prosperous career, one of the richest in modern tennis. The Swiss, whose right knee injury has become insurmountable in recent months, announced last week that he no longer wishes to continue with the pros.

In the absence of a final Wimbledon, the farewell ball promises to be memorable: a double with the one who was his greatest rival, Rafael Nadal – 40 clashes including many legendary – in a London O2 Arena ready to overflow at the slightest winning point of the Swiss, on the occasion of a competition – the Laver Cup – of which he himself was the architect five years ago.

“I think seeing him and Rafa on the same side of the net […] with Bjorn (Borg) at the edge of the court, in the presence of John McEnroe, with Rod Laver in the stands, it’s a very cool way to end his career. I can’t think of a better way to go than this.”summarizes the local icon Andy Murray, who will play the match before.

“It will be very special”recognized Nadal, aware of taking part in a prestigious meeting. “He is one of, if not the most important player of my career and I am very grateful to be able to play with him”insists the Majorcan, record holder at 36 for the number of Grand Slam titles (22), some of which gleaned after great struggles against his “best enemy” Basel.

In what state of mind are we when preparing to play our 1527th and last game on the circuit, after more than a year away from the courts? “I’m obviously nervous not having played for so long, I hope to be competitive”aspires the Maestro, who did not feel optimal for singles play. “I don’t know if I could handle all of this”he also admits, when asked if he fears a wave of emotions during this particular evening. “I’ve had tougher times in the past, I’ve been horribly nervous at times, all these years, before matches,” he tempers.

“We always want to play forever”

While waiting for his final game, the forties will relive one last time the routines he loved as much as he hated them. “I love tying my shoes, getting ready, putting on my bandana (around my forehead), looking at myself in the mirror (thinking), ‘Is it okay? Are we ready for that? OK, here we go!” But even though I really like it, I’m glad I don’t have to do it again”, says “RF”. It also details “the knots in my stomach, waiting all day, having breakfast thinking I still have a big game tonight and, oh, there are 15 hours left to wait. It’s nice but it’s stressful and the days are endless..

That of this Friday is for sure. Especially since he will only enter the competition during the night session, scheduled to start at 8 p.m. with a match between Andy Murray and the Australian Alex de Minaur. The Swiss will hope to end on a less bitter note than what will remain his last singles match: an ousting in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon 2021, when the Pole Hubert Hurkacz inflicted on him a sad 6-0 “bubble” in the third and final set. Of the game.

Proof of the scale of the encounter: John McEnroe, captain of the Rest of the World team, had to toss a coin to find out which player would accompany Jack Sock, doubles specialist, against the two friends. The pair will be 100% American since it is Frances Tiafoe, Nadal’s recent scorer at the US Open, who will have the honor with Sock of being the last opponent of the Swiss.

“We won’t hold back, sorry Roger”

The duo does not lose the sense of competition. “It promises to be a more than cult evening and I am proud to be there. We will take advantage of the moment but we will not hold our blows, sorry Roger”, winnowed Sock, at the risk of spoiling the party. His partner approaches the matter just as relaxed: “I can’t wait to play against these little youngsters who are rising.joked Tiafoe. It promises to be a more than cult evening and I am proud to be there. McEnroe defends them in advance:No matter what, these guys won’t be the bad guys in the story.. What matters is to celebrate all that Roger has achieved in his career. Who will win or lose, I think is totally secondary.

After the match point, the result will quickly fade away behind a much stronger ceremonial mixing human and tennis history. “We always want to play forever. I love being on the court, I love playing against guys, I love traveling. I never found it difficult for me, whether I won or learned from my defeats, everything was perfect, I loved my career, the Master broods over, as if he wanted to push the deadline as late as possible. Everyone has to leave the competition one day. It’s been a really, really great adventure. And for that, yes, I am extremely grateful.”