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LAVER CUP TENNIS

Emotional farewell for Federer

By Shane Desiatnik September 29, 2022, 3:32 pm Edit
Roger Federer being lifted by players at the 2022 Laver Cup, his last event. Diego Schwartzman is on the right.
Roger Federer being lifted by players at the 2022 Laver Cup, his last event. Diego Schwartzman is on the right.

Although Jewish Argentine Diego Schwartzman lost his 2022 Laver Cup singles match in London last week to Team Europe member Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, Schwartzman’s Team World won the tournament for the first time.

But what is sure to be remembered more than the result, is that it was the last tournament for one of the greatest and most popular male players of all time, 41-year-old, 20-grand slam singles title winner, Roger Federer.

There wasn’t a dry eye among the 18,000-plus crowd, and the players, when Federer made his final on-court interview, after he and fellow great Rafael Nadal lost their doubles match 6-4, 6-7, 9-11 to the World Team’s Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.

“It’s been a wonderful day. I told the guys: I’m happy, I’m not sad,” the Swiss tennis legend said.

“I wanted it to feel like this at the end, and it’s exactly what I hoped for. So thank you.”

Bursting into tears, Nadal and Federer embraced, and players from both teams lifted Federer above their shoulders in triumph.

Schwartzman posted a heart symbol on social media, adding, “Thank you Roger Federer – [it is] crazy to have been on the court yesterday, sharing that time [with you].”

In a separate post, he addressed his poor form of late, claiming, “I’m the first to know that I can do much better, and I assure you that level will be back soon. Working with a smile, and looking forward to getting the good vibes back.”

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