(CNN) — The best Swiss tennis player Roger Federer He lost his last professional match, a doubles match with his contemporary and rival Spaniard Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup. Federer and Nadal were beaten 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), (9-11) by the American pair of Francis Tiafoe and Jacques Sack, in what is one European team against another. of the world.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner had the full support of a raucous crowd at London’s O2 Arena, as Federer wiped away tears and hugged his teammate Nadal and every other player with him.
Before the match, Federer tweeted: “I’ve done this a thousand times but this feels different. Thanks to everyone who came out tonight.”
Federer, 41, announced last week that he would retire from professional tennis after the Laver Cup, saying he had to “recognize when to end my competitive career”.