For the better part of the previous 20 years, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal gave us one of the most illustrious rivalries in tennis history. Now, the legendary tennis players will team up for what will be Federer’s final professional match.
Federer, considered by many the greatest tennis player ever, announced his retirement from the sport last week. But before bowing out, the 41-year-old decided to play one last match at the upcoming Laver Cup that will see Team Europe competing against the rest of the world.
On Thursday, Laver Cup organizers revealed the schedule for Day 1 of the event, with Federer and Nadal competing in a doubles match against Americans Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock. The match is set to be played on Friday night.
“For as long as we battled together, having had always this respect for one another, our families, coaching teams, for us as well to go through a career we both have had, come out the other side and have a nice relationship, is maybe a great message to tennis and beyond,” Federer said about teaming up with Nadal.
Federer won’t stick around to play out the entire event, with Italy’s Matteo Berrettini set to replace him down the stretch.
Federer and Nadal met each other 40 times during their respective career, including nine times in Grand Slam Finals. Both go in Nadal’s favor, with the Spaniard defeating Federer 26 times overall and five times in Grand Slam Finals.
