Federer bows out of tennis with doubles match alongside old rival Rafa

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The Swiss Maestro and 20-time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer, is confirmed to play the final competitive match of his career at the 2022 Laver Cup in London in a doubles match alongside his old rival Rafael Nadal.

The last competitive game the tennis legend played was at the Wimbledon 2021. He announced his retirement last week when he was struggling with knee problems.

At a news conference at London's O2 Arena, Federer told the press, "I know my limitations, and this is why I asked Bjorn (Borg, the Team Europe captain) if it's OK that I play just one doubles (match),"  adding that "I guess that one would have to be Friday night."

Furthermore, the Swiss Maestro said that "I am, trying to prepare for one last doubles. We'll see how it is. I am nervous because I haven't played for so long. I hope it goes well.”

"I feel like this is where we pro players can really help the next generation coming through."@rogerfederer meets young tennis players during a @UQAmbassadors kids clinic at #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/qe7wJOW1nn

— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 22, 2022

When asked about partnering with old-time rival and Spain's Raging Bull, Federer said that “For us 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 is maybe a great message to not just tennis but sports and maybe even beyond.”

Federer started his career in 1998 and has made his way to the top to become one of the legends of men's tennis with only Rafa and Serbia's Novak Djokovic to hold more grand-slam titles than him. However, the Maestro holds the record for Wimbledon titles with 8 championships marked by his legendary name.

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