Roger Federer final match: Result, highlights and reaction as Swiss great suffers doubles defeat alongside Rafael Nadal

Joe Wright

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Roger Federer final match: Result, highlights and reaction as Swiss great suffers doubles defeat alongside Rafael Nadal image

Roger Federer's final professional tennis match ended in defeat as Team World claimed a doubles victory over Team Europe at the Laver Cup on Friday.

Federer, alongside long-time rival Rafael Nadal, served at match point in the deciding tie-breaker but was unable to sign off from the ATP Tour with a victory. Americans Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe edged past in a gripping contest 4-6, 7-6(2), 11-9, the win secured at close to 12.30 a.m. local time at London's O2 Arena.

The result levelled this year's competition at 2-2 following Alex De Minaur's earlier singles win over Andy Murray.

MORE: Tennis' top Grand Slam winners of all time: Who has won the most titles?

'I wanted to feel like this'

Federer spoke after the match of how it felt to do all this for a final time: one last locker-room visit, one last shoelace to be tied, one last walk onto a court where he was heralded like a home favourite, just as he was practically anywhere in the world against any opponent.

It seemed too scripted, too perfect, when he picked up the ball and walked to the service line at match point at the end of a deciding tie-break some two hours into the contest. One last serve; one last win. But sport, of course, deals more in cold, hard truths than fairytales, and it was Sock and Tiafoe who played their own solitary match point better.

Federer has spoken a lot since announcing his intention to retire about his 24 years on the Tour, about how he learned to compartmentalise results in his mind and cope better with disappointment after his early years as a hot-headed, pony-tailed prodigy. It was no surprise, then, that he was gracious in defeat for one last time, congratulating Sock and Tiafoe at the net with Nadal before embracing members of both Team Europe and Team World.

"I wanted to feel like this at the end; it's exactly what I hoped for," he told the crowd. There had to be one last speech.

'It's been a perfect journey'

Federer hadn't played a match since losing at the quarterfinal stage of Wimbledon last year, his patient attempts to recover from his latest knee injury ultimately making it clear that, at the age of 41, he could no longer push his body through the rigours of the game. If we're going to deal in those cold, hard truths again, it's a decision that, on the basis of this match, was the right one. While Federer still moves better than should be allowed at his age and condition, the limitations on his body were clear: where once his feet glided over the court, here they did more of a gutsy scramble; where before his forehand could rain down haymakers game after game, set after set, he looked winded after winding up for a winner under the harsh lights of the London venue.

But there was still enough of the old Federer in play to get the crowd, and his teammates, on their feet. A couple of forehands scorched the surface of the court better than the flame lit by a climate protestor during an earlier match, and some fast hands at the net proved too much sometimes even for the wonderfully mobile Tiafoe.

One particular volley would have earned pride of place in the career highlights reel shown on the big screens after the match. Under pressure in the match tie-break, Federer struck a glancing blow at full stretch on the forehand side that scythed through the narrow gap between the net and the players in red. It was a shot to encapsulate all that made Federer great: the speed of thought and execution, the impudence to try it, the elegance in pulling it off.

With the 2022 Laver Cup scores tied at 2-2 heading into Saturday's play, Federer could yet celebrate one more ATP trophy this weekend. He's won 103 of them in the past quarter of a century, but somehow, you suspect this one would be among the most special: one he could celebrate with his peers, who stood by and wept as he bade farewell to the sport he changed forever. "I always felt I was a team player at heart," he said, as Nadal — his indefatigable adversary for the best part of two decades — broke down in tears.

So it was that Federer's final match didn't end the way that Team Europe, the majority of the O2 crowd or the neutrals watching at home would have wanted. But for Federer, it seems it did. The most successful male tennis player of all time, the man who turned five-set marathons into triumphant works of art, was happy to bow out in defeat.

"It's been a perfect journey," he said. "I would do it all over again."

Roger Federer result, highlights, reaction from 2022 Laver Cup

  Set 1 Set 2 Match Tie-break
Team Europe (Federer/Nadal) 6 6 (2) 9
Team World (Sock/Tiafoe) 4 7 (7) 11

All times BST

*Denotes server

12.42 a.m.: As Federer walks back to his team and shares a hug with each of them, he says to Andy Murray: "I don't know how I made it through that!"

12.39 a.m.: Federer: "I'm at least able to talk!" He then starts to thank his family, who are here, of course. Mirka, his wife, is watching on. "She could have stopped me a long, long time ago, but she didn't," says Federer. She blows a kiss.

"It's just been incredible; my God," he adds. "Thank you, everybody. I love you all. It's been an amazing journey."

12.38 a.m.: Federer: "It's been a perfect journey. I would do it all over again. I've had so many people cheer me on, and having you guys tonight, it means the world."

12.36 a.m.: Federer: "It's amazing [to have the other players here]. I didn't want to feel lonely out there. I always felt I was a team player at heart. I wanted to feel like this at the end; it's exactly what I hoped for."

Nadal is crying watching this, by the way. But I'm not. No way. My eyes are just itchy. Honest.

12.35 a.m.: Federer's now speaking. "We'll get through this somehow!" he says. "I told the guys, I'm happy, I'm not sad. It feels great to be here. I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time. Everything was the last time. I didn't feel the stress even though I thought something was going to go — pop a calf, or something. I'm so happy I made it through. Playing with Rafa on the same team, having all the guys here, all the legends... thank you."

12.30 a.m.: A special tribute video is now being played on the big screens featuring some of the greats of sport giving their view on Federer. He's taking it all in on the court, surrounded by players from both Laver Cup teams. It's particularly moving when Nadal appears on screen to talk about his time competing with Federer, and adds: "I will not have this feeling again in my life."

MATCH TIE-BREAK:

Federer/Nadal 9-11 Sock/Tiafoe: TEAM WORLD WIN! Tiafoe does it again! He absolutely rips a forehand that Nadal has to dive to avoid, and Team World will serve for the match! Federer and Sock exchange groundstrokes and, as Nadal moves to the net, Sock plays a simple forehand into the open space. The tears are coming now for Federer, who just couldn't get that fairy-tale ending the London crowd wanted, as he embraces members of both teams.

Federer/Nadal 9-9 Sock/Tiafoe: Murray is up on his feet, unable to sit still. Sock's forehand is still firing and he edges Team World back in front, and then comes a bit more Federer magic — a sublime cross-court forehand volley into a narrow gap of open space. Is it too late to ask him to change his mind? But Tiafoe's not here for pleasantries: he blasts the ball at Federer to earn a mini-break and a chorus of boos. Federer didn't mind, and his next return forced the backhand error — it takes a lot to shake this man's concentration. Another missed first serve from Tiafoe, a brilliant backhand return from Nadal, and suddenly it's match point — and Federer to serve. But he can't find that first serve, and Team World force the error for 9-9.

Federer/Nadal 6-6 Sock/Tiafoe: Oh my word, what a shot from Jack Sock! Everyone in this venue thinks Federer has won the point, but Sock picks the ball up and drops it inside the tramline before wheeling away as Tiafoe holds his head in disbelief. Federer then makes a brave call to rush the net and Tiafoe can't find the passing shot. Sock manages to win the next one despite sliding onto his backside. Next comes a delicate net exchange, which ends with a lovely volley from Nadal right between the gap down the tee, and a Federer ace is greeted with a roar from the crowd. Sock's next serve has too much, and we're level again.

Federer/Nadal 3-3 Sock/Tiafoe: Nadal told himself to go for his shots more at the changeover, and boy, he's doing so! The first forehand is too hot to handle, and he puts away two powerful volleys to give Team Europe a 3-0 lead and bring the noise back into the arena. Two unreturned serves from Sock makes it 3-2, and Federer can't put away a volley! We're level at the change.

Federer/Nadal 6-4 6-6 (2-7) Sock/Tiafoe: TEAM WORLD WIN THE SECOND SET! Sock braves a forehand exchange with Federer and comes out victorious, and the Swiss then can't dig out a volley. Tiafoe forces Federer wide and he can't get the ball in play, and we're heading for a deciding match tie-breaker!

Federer/Nadal 6-4 6-6 (2-4) Sock/Tiafoe: A fabulous Tiafoe return gives Team World an immediate mini-break, but some quick footwork from Federer helps get things back on serve. Nadal mishits a forehand long, though, so the pressure is back on Team Europe. Tiafoe keeps the net covered and forces the Nadal error for a 4-2 lead. The crowd has gone eerily quiet.

Federer/Nadal 6-4 6-6 Sock/Tiafoe*: A bit of the old Federer magic as he powers a forehand winner down the line, but Team Europe's next return drops wide. He then runs around another second-serve forehand, and this time makes it count — Tiafoe can't get it back over the net. Nadal scoops a shot off the baseline wide, but another Federer forehand is too hot for Tiafoe, and it's deuce. But it's third-time lucky for Tiafoe, who gets a generous net-cord winner off a Nadal shot, and we're heading for a tie-break!

Federer/Nadal* 6-4 6-5 Sock/Tiafoe: What a game, and what a hold from Team Europe! Terrific work from Tiafoe makes it 0-30 on the Nadal serve. The Spaniard clips the net and the ball drops wide, and suddenly he has three break points to fend off. Sock hits the net, Tiafoe drops a return inches wide, and Sock then pushes a forehand long off Federer's block volley — that was a big chance! Two more break points come and go before Sock's backhand volley wins perhaps the point of the set, but he can't follow it up and we're back at deuce. Tiafoe mishits a shot into the crowd, and Nadal at last drags him and Federer over the line. Federer asks his teammates for water at the change, admitting: "I'm too tired to get up and get it!"

Federer/Nadal 6-4 5-5 Sock/Tiafoe*: Federer lets Team World off the hook with a forehand error, but Tiafoe double-faults for 30-15. His serve is looking a little erratic. Sock volleys back a Federer shot but he can't get Nadal's back over the net, and he bounces his racquet off the court in frustration. There's another second serve for Nadal to look at, but he pushes it wide and stands in disbelief. Sock wins it with a neat overhead.

Federer/Nadal* 6-4 5-4 Sock/Tiafoe: Some pinpoint serving from Federer brings up 30-0, but Nadal refuses the opportunity to fire one back at Tiafoe at the net and loses the point! He has a giggle about it, but it's suddenly 30-30, and the pressure is rising. At deuce, Federer pulls out two unreturned serves to take the game; if Team World can't hold in the next one, that will be the last time we ever see Roger Federer hit a serve in a professional tennis match.

Federer/Nadal 6-4 4-4 Sock/Tiafoe*: Sock races through the first three service points before his momentum is halted with a double fault. Federer misses a baseline backhand, though, and it's 4-4. That was one of the quicker games tonight, and an important one for Team World.

Federer/Nadal* 6-4 4-3 Sock/Tiafoe: It's gone strangely flat at the O2 Arena. Team World challenge a Nadal serve, Hawk-Eye shows it's in, but Sock thinks the mark on the court shows it's out. They get back to 40-30, but Sock slaps a return into the net. Momentum is back with Team Europe. Djokovic is back on the bench, and Andy Murray has joined him.

Federer/Nadal 6-4 3-3 Sock/Tiafoe*: BREAK! Things are really hotting up! Nadal puts away an overhead between the red shirts but Tiafoe plays a good point for 15-15. He then loses a forehand exchange with the 22-time major champion, and then double-faults for 15-40. Nadal keeps the first break point alive off the backhand, and the umpire penalises Tiafoe for hitting the ball twice at the net and awards the game to Team Europe! Tiafoe isn't happy with the call, and you'll be astonished to learn that John McEnroe is talking to the umpire as well. A contentious moment, but we're back on serve.

Federer/Nadal* 6-4 2-3 Sock/Tiafoe: The rally of the match! Drop shots and volleys are exchanged with gusto, Nadal sprints after the ball and almost, almost clips a blind backhand winner around the post. Tiafoe sprints to the other side of the court to shake his hand for the attempt. There's a sniff of a second break at 15-30, but the men in blue hold firm. Djokovic has stepped away for a moment, so Matteo Berrettini has taken over as chief coach, speaking in Spanish to Nadal and English to Federer.

Federer/Nadal 6-4 1-3 Sock/Tiafoe*: Apparently cross with that previous point, Federer, back out early from the change of ends, goes right after Sock's serve from the off. Nadal pulls a forehand wide but a brilliant reach has Sock scampering and he can only slap the ball into the net. Sock and Tiafoe dither over a ball, but Nadal and Federer do the same, and it's deuce! Sock then gifts another break point but Federer, running around a forehand on the second serve, blasts his shot long with an anguished cry. Two volleys get Team World over the line.

Federer/Nadal* 6-4 1-2 Sock/Tiafoe: BREAK! Sock wins an exchange at the net with Federer and Nadal whips a forehand wide. Tiafoe then rips a return to the Nadal forehand, Djokovic-style, and it's suddenly 0-40. Nadal puts a forehand behind Tiafoe and follows with an ace, but Federer's next volley is long. Team World get the break.

Federer/Nadal 6-4 1-1 Sock/Tiafoe*: It takes a lot to throw Tiafoe off his stride — he's considered one of the nicest and most positive players on the Tour — but he's just let his levels drop here, and Nadal is punishing him. A great baseline exchange between the two ends with a stunning Nadal volley to make it 15-30. But with the pressure mounting, Sock smashes a Nadal return and Tiafoe follows an ace down the tee with an unreturnable serve.

Federer/Nadal* 6-4 1-0 Sock/Tiafoe: Federer and Nadal hold serve to start the second set, but Nadal almost lost his head, quite literally: Tiafoe's rasping forehand of nearly 95mph had the Spaniard ducking near the baseline. They all found the funny side.

Federer/Nadal 6-4 Sock/Tiafoe*: TEAM EUROPE WIN THE FIRST SET! That's a lovely shot from Nadal, spinning a forehand out of Tiafoe's reach. Sock then throws himself at a Federer return, but he makes a rare mess of a volley, and it's deuce. Nadal's return clips the line and Federer dispatches an easy volley to bring up set point, and Federer takes charge: his forehand is too hot for Sock, who nudges a volley into the net.

Federer/Nadal* 5-4 Sock/Tiafoe: What a backhand from Sock! He crashes a return winner behind Federer to level the scores at 30-30. Tiafoe gets after the Nadal backhand and the ball ends up in the net for the first break point of the night, but Nadal finds a first serve and Federer smashes a winner. Another good Federer volley fends off the break chance.

Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are now discussing the latter's suggestion of forcing Tiafoe to "play an extra shot". The rest of Team Europe are standing and listening in quiet awe, like dumbstruck schoolboys on a placement at CERN.

Federer/Nadal 4-4 Sock/Tiafoe*: Sock serves up a double fault with the new balls, but two loose returns from Europe follow. Federer can't get a Tiafoe smash back in play, and Tiafoe settles the game with a quite lovely sliced volley right along the length of the net. He enjoyed that.

Federer/Nadal* 4-3 Sock/Tiafoe: Tiafoe blasts a shot right at Nadal at the net, which didn't thrill the Spaniard. Federer steps forward and sends a smash down the middle for 40-15, but follows that up with a tame forehand into the net. He then exchanges some forehands with Sock, Nadal and Tiafoe get into a game of cat-and-mouse at the net, and Team Europe gets the game. "It's unbelievable, when you don't play doubles, how slow you are at the net!" says Nadal.

Federer/Nadal 3-3 Sock/Tiafoe*: Nadal reads it well but sends another volley into the base of the net, allowing Team World to move to 40-15. The Americans stop to challenge after Nadal sends a return deep... and long. Very, very long. It's 3-3.

Federer/Nadal* 3-2 Sock/Tiafoe: Nadal's been serving well early on here (if we ignore the opening double fault). Sock gets a good read on one at 30-15, though... and Federer smacks a forehand volley into the open court. Brilliant reactions. As they head to the chairs, Djokovic proclaims: "A Swiss wall there, man!"

Federer/Nadal 2-1 Sock/Tiafoe*: A pretty strange moment at game point: Federer's forehand clipped the inside of the net post and landed in the court. Somehow, his shot went right through a gap between post and net — I'm not sure anyone else could have found it! A Sock return goes long and the game is Europe's, and they're having a good laugh about it.

Federer/Nadal 1-1 Sock/Tiafoe: Team Europe gets off to a decent start. Nadal gets us underway with a double fault but they dig themselves out of trouble. As Team World moves to 30-15, Federer puts Tiafoe under pressure with a forehand but Nadal's volley is wide. An ace from the American levels the score.

10.05 p.m.: The players come out to a tumultuous roar. Federer already looks emotional. Djokovic just filmed the moment on his phone. This is going to be quite a night.

10 p.m.: Federer spoke of his wish to see out his 24-year professional career with a doubles match alongside long-time rival Rafael Nadal, and Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg obliged. It should certainly make for a sensational atmosphere inside the venue tonight: there was something truly special about watching Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic cheering on Murray just now, so this next match could be off the scale.

9.50 p.m.: So, here we go: Roger Federer, in a professional tennis match, for the final time. We've had a long wait for this one tonight at the O2 Arena in London, with Andy Murray's epic match with Alex De Minaur having only just finished. The Australian got the win in the tie-breaker, meaning Team Europe's lead stands at 2-1.

MORE: Watch Laver Cup matches with fuboTV (free trial, U.S. only)

Laver Cup 2022 schedule

All times are subject to change.

Date Match Competition UK USA Canada Australia
Friday, September 23 1 Singles 13:00 BST 08:00 ET 08:00 ET 22:00 AEST
Friday, September 23 2 Singles 13:00 BST 08:00 ET 08:00 ET 22:00 AEST
Friday, September 23/24 3 Singles 19:00 BST 14:00 ET 14:00 ET 04:00 AEST
Friday, September 23/24 4 Doubles 19:00 BST 14:00 ET 14:00 ET 04:00 AEST
Saturday, September 24 5 Singles 13:00 BST 08:00 ET 08:00 ET 22:00 AEST
Saturday, September 24 6 Singles 13:00 BST 08:00 ET 08:00 ET 22:00 AEST
Saturday, September 24/25 7 Singles 19:00 BST 14:00 ET 14:00 ET 04:00 AEST
Saturday, September 24/25 8 Doubles 19:00 BST 14:00 ET 14:00 ET 04:00 AEST
Sunday, September 25 9 Doubles 13:00 BST 08:00 ET 08:00 ET 22:00 AEST
Sunday, September 25 10 Singles 13:00 BST 08:00 ET 08:00 ET 22:00 AEST
Sunday, September 25/26 11 Singles 19:00 BST 14:00 ET 14:00 ET 04:00 AEST
Sunday, September 25/26 12 Singles 19:00 BST 14:00 ET 14:00 ET 04:00 AEST

Who is playing at the Laver Cup 2022?

Bjorn Borg is the captain of Team Europe 2022, with Thomas Enqvist as vice-captain. John McEnroe is captaining Team World 2022; Patrick McEnroe is his deputy.

Team Europe: Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Matteo Berrettini (alternate)

Team World: Taylor Fritz, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Diego Schwartzman, Frances Tiafoe, Alex de Minaur, Jack Sock, Tommy Paul (alternate)

MORE: Laver Cup 2022 prize money: How much do winning teams and individuals earn?

How to watch the Laver Cup 2022

  UK USA Canada Australia
TV channel Eurosport Tennis Channel, fuboTV - -
Streaming eurosport.co.uk, discovery+ Tennis Channel app, Tennis Channel Plus TVA Sports Stan Sport

Joe Wright

Joe Wright Photo

Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News. He was previously a sub editor and writer for Goal.com before spending six years as part of the Stats Perform editorial news service, covering major global sports including football, tennis, boxing, NBA, rugby union and athletics. Joe has reported live on some of the biggest games in football, including two UEFA Champions League finals, Euro 2016, the Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 World Cup final at the end of a month in Russia.