Roger Federer, defeat and tearful farewell

Roger Federer’s farewell

Night of tears in London, where Roger Federer’s last match was staged.

The former world number one, paired with longtime rival (but friend) Rafael Nadal, ended up losing to Sock and Tiafoe but put on one last show despite not being in great shape.

Inevitable after the match were the tears, from everyone: from the star of the evening, to his family, through Nadal himself, who started crying his eyes out, as if the farewell was his own.

“It was a wonderful day, I’m happy and I’m not sad, I just told the boys,” Federer explained between sobs . I enjoyed every moment, from tying my shoes the last time to playing, to being here with family and friends. I made it to the end and I couldn’t be happier. Playing with Rafa with so many legends next to me.”

“It’s all amazing, I didn’t want to feel alone, I wanted to say goodbye in a team competition. I’ve always been on a team. It was a pleasure, I wanted to feel this way, like it was a celebration.”

“Mirka could have stopped me a long time ago and she didn’t, she allowed me to keep playing and she was amazing,” he concluded with a dedication to his wife.

The O2 Arena gave him an unending standing ovation, with Bill Gates, Hugh Grant, Anna Wintour, Stella McCartney, as well as the tennis elite, consisting of course of Borg and McEnroe, captains of the two teams, Laver, Edberg, and the ailing Sascha Zverev.