Roger Federer wants to bring the curtain down on his glittering career by teaming up with long-time rival Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup in London on Friday.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner announced last week he intended to retire after the three-day tournament at London’s 02 arena, which starts on Friday.
Federer, whose most recent competitive match was a loss to Hubert Hurkacz in last year’s Wimbledon quarter-finals, has been struggling with a knee problem.
The Swiss great confirmed on Wednesday that the final match of his long and illustrious career will be in the doubles on Friday evening.
Italian Matteo Berrettini, the first alternate for the tournament that pits Team Europe against Team World, will then take Federer’s place over the weekend.
The Swiss great does not yet know whether he will be able to link up with Nadal but said it would be the dream scenario.
“Of course, no doubt,” he told a packed press conference at the O2. “I mean, I think it could be quite a unique situation, you know, that if it were to happen.”
Federer said he and Nadal, 36, had always maintained a respect for each other even as they vied for the biggest trophies in the sport.
“For us as well to go through a career that we both have had and to come out on the other side and being able to have a nice relationship I think is maybe a great message as well to not just tennis but sports and maybe even beyond,” he said.
“For that reason I think it would be great. I don’t know if it’s going to happen, but I think it could be obviously a special moment.”—APP
