The last edition of the Laver Cup in 2022 was historic for more than one reason. It played host to tennis legend Roger Federer’s last-ever professional match. It was also the first time ever that Team World got the better of Team Europe in Laver Cup history. The tournament also saw really emotional moments when Federer and Nadal, who have been great rivals on the court, but close friends outside of it, shed tears together at the former’s retirement ceremony.
The emotional instance came after Federer and Nadal played their only match of that year’s Laver Cup in a doubles tie together. But why did Federer choose to retire from the sport altogether? The Swiss maestro had suffered multiple injuries to his knees during the latter stages of his career. In his announcement, he specified that he wanted to call it quits while he was in playing condition and that he did not want to be forced out due to surgeries. As someone who has entertained millions of tennis fans across the globe, no one would begrudge Federer a painful ending to his fairytale.
But what was the outcome of Federer’s swansong match? Regardless of the outcome, it was an emotional rollercoaster of a ride. Let us relive it.
When Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal Teamed Up for Europe
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal played as a doubles pair against Team World’s American duo Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe. Although Federer and Nadal were fancied to win, the Americans scripted an upset to make an already heartfelt occasion even more bittersweet.
The match began on a favorable note for the “Fedal” pair as they won the first set 6-4. The turning point of the tie came in the second set tiebreaker when Sock and Tiafoe upped their game to win 7-2, taking the set 7-6. The climax of the match was a super tiebreaker third set which was even tighter. Federer and Nadal 9-11 in the super tiebreaker.
Interestingly, this was not the only time Nadal and Federer had partnered with each other in a doubles match. The first time they did so was at the inaugural Laver Cup in 2017. Jack Sock was on the opposite side that day too along with another American in Sam Querrey. Nadal and Federer won that match in a super tiebreaker themselves.
Roger Federer Laver Cup Record
Roger Federer has appeared at the Laver Cup for Team Europe on four occasions - 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022. In fact, it was Federer’s management company, TEAM8, that played a key role in creating the tournament. In total, Federer has played 12 matches at the Laver Cup and has an 8-4 win-loss record. His singles tally is a perfect 6-0. His doubles record of two matches won out six only shows that he is human after all. He has been part of the winning Team Europe in each of the first three editions of the Laver Cup.
FAQs
A. Federer and Nadal have played doubles together on two occasions. The first was during the first-ever Laver Cup in 2017 held in Prague. The last time was during the 2022 Laver Cup in London, which was Federer’s last professional match.
A. Federer and Nadal lost their doubles match in the 2022 Laver Cup to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.
A. Rafael Nadal has not won a Grand Slam in doubles, but has an Olympic gold medal in doubles playing for Spain at the 2016 Rio Games with Marc LĂłpez.
A. Roger Federer does not have a Grand Slam doubles title. However, he won the gold in doubles when he played at the 2008 Beijing Games for Switzerland, along with partner Stanislas Wawrinka.
