Nadal, Federer’s friend and great rival in his career, could not contain his emotions when he saw the Swiss player cry. It was almost one of the most beautiful and emotional moments in world sports.
“Today is a great day. I’m happy, not sad. It feels great to be here. I’m glad I passed,” Federer said. But the tears of the Swiss tennis player on the O2 Arena still contain a lot of sadness.
Nostalgic ending
Federer cried as he hugged Nadal and the other players, amid 17,500 fans clapping and chanting the Swiss legend’s name. Nadal couldn’t hold back his tears either. The Spaniard cried as he sat next to Federer, as Ellie Goulding performed a song to end a memorable night.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal shed tears during the Swiss tennis player’s last official match. Photo: Eurosport.
British singer singing the hit song “Still Falling For You” (I Still Love You). A song could not be more appropriate for Federer’s farewell day, for the Swiss player himself, for Nadal himself and for world tennis fans.
Federer and Nadal – the two players who have created the most famous rivalry in the world of tennis – come together to face the American pair, Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe, at the 2022 Laver Cup. Federer is not competing. for more than a year and it is not surprising that he and Nadal lost to the American pair 6-4, 6-7, 9-11.
Federer’s career has long gone downhill, as he has struggled with a knee injury for the past three years and needs three surgeries to fix the problem. The last time “Fedex” played it was the loss to Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon last year.
On the day of retirement, Federer received the support he deserved. In the stands, his family has enough. Federer’s wife and four children, along with his parents, mingled with cheers from the audience, who were probably also moved to see Nadal or Federer cry.
“Everybody is here, boys and girls. My wife has been very supportive. She could have stopped me (from continuing to play) for a long time but didn’t,” Federer said. “She kept encouraging me and allowed me to keep playing, which was amazing – thank you.”
Many other celebrities were also present on the day Federer retired, including the legendary Rod Laver or the famous Hollywood actor, Hugh Grant. The two current world number one players on the men’s and women’s rankings, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, also did not hide their emotions when watching the match on television.
Federer is the only one
“I have practice tomorrow morning but I don’t want to go to sleep tonight,” Swiatek wrote. “For the last time, Roger”. Alcaraz wrote on his personal page, with a broken heart symbol: “Thank you RF (Roger Federer’s initials)”.
“Who’s watching the Laver Cup? Federer is showing Federer-branded stuff,” Alcaraz did not hide his admiration. “Finally it happened, Federer stood by Nadal.”
Alcaraz received many compliments after winning the US Open this month. He is expected to create a new era of tennis. But on the day Federer retired, the Spaniard expressed his emotions like many other fans. He expressed emotion, admiration and admiration.
Federer could not contain his emotions when he said goodbye to his tennis career. Photo: Reuters.
What does Federer’s journey mean to tennis and world fans? Many people say that Federer is the symbol of tennis. For some, he plays tennis that transcends previous boundaries. The expressions and attitudes of Nadal, Alcaraz or Swiatek say it all.
“With Roger’s goodbye, a part of me left with him,” Nadal said in a more emotional way.
Imagine the scene of Cristiano Ronaldo crying on the day Lionel Messi broke up with his football career? That probably never happens. Only Federer touched Nadal like that. They are rivals, rivals, but also close friends. It is difficult for the sports world to witness the same thing.
According to Tuong Linh – Zing.vn | 12:00 September 24, 2022
