LONDON: Roger Federer will team up with longtime rival Rafael Nadal for the final match of his glittering career, Laver Cup organisers announced on Thursday.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion will play doubles with the Spaniard, who has won 22 majors, at the O2 arena in London on Friday.
Federer, whose most recent competitive match was a loss to Hubert Hurkacz in the Wimbledon quarter-finals last year, has been struggling with a knee problem.
The Swiss star announced last week that he would be retiring from competitive tennis, with the Laver Cup to be his final appearance.
The Laver Cup is a team competition that pits Team Europe against Team World.
On Wednesday at a news conference at the O2 Arena ahead of the Laver Cup, Federer was asked how he hoped people would remember him and what made him proudest about his career.
“Longevity” was his answer.
“I was famous for being quite erratic at the beginning of my career,” he said. “And then to become one of the most consistent players ever is quite a shock to me, as well.”
Federer said he felt back then that he could compete for any title for “15-plus years”.
“That has been a privilege,” he said. “I think looking back, that has a special meaning to me because I always looked to the Michael Schumachers, Tiger Woods, all the other guys that stayed for so long at the top that I didn’t understand how they did it. Next thing you know, you’re part of that group, and it’s been a great feeling.”