He gave much more to tennis than any expert would have imagined. He raised this sport to the category of art. No one had been so close to perfection, nor had he been so admired for his elegance with a racket. He was the main protagonist of the most brilliant era of tennis along with Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Winner of 20 Grand Slams and master more times (6) than anyone. Roger Federer retired from professional tennis yesterday in a dream event. On the track and next to his nemesis, Rafa Nadal. A rivalry that has transcended this sport but that both have turned into a friendship that borders on the familiar. His goodbye symbolizes many things, but above all the end of a wonderful era that he began with his first Wimbledon in 2003 and that 19 years later ends with the love, respect and admiration of rivals, fans and the sport in your set.
The O2 in London dressed up to see the prodigal son of tennis for the last time. No one wanted to miss that last dance in the city where he has won more than anyone and the tournament he owns, the Laver Cup. Every gesture, grimace or blow was scrutinized by the 18,000 fans who packed the stands. Some came to pay up to 50,000 euros for a ticket. It was worth seeing his complicity with Nadal, even nicknamed by themselves as Fedal.
It is true that the Swiss looked somewhat slow after being inactive since Wimbledon last year due to problems with his right knee. His speed has suffered. But his reflections are still intact. Facing Sock and Tiafoe, lucky sparring partners, he showed off his artistic backhand, his prodigious serve and his tepid volleys into the net. All this between jokes with Nadal, Djokovic and the rest of the European team. A relaxed atmosphere that once again humanized the legend.
The game itself was a party full of laughter between the four protagonists. The conversations before the serve between Nadal and Federer gave for enough. Any excuse was good to reduce the tension of a historical moment. The victory was the least important, but the pair of great champions were competitive to the extreme. They won the first set by a tight 6-4 and in the second they stood up despite the greater push of their American rivals (7-6)(2). In a thrilling super tie-break final they fell 11-9.
As of today, Federer's career is already part of the history books. His irruption on the circuit with his victory over Pete Sampras in 2001, his first win at Wimbledon in 2003, his duels with Nadal at Wimbledon 2008 and Australia 2009 or his victory at Roland Garros 2009 is already unforgettable. three more Grand Slams between 2017 and 2018, after four years without major victories.
After more than 20 years as a professional Federer ends the dream of being the most successful tennis player. However, his legacy is incomparable. With his goodbye something breaks. The golden age of tennis is over. The one in which four men elevated this sport to unsuspected heights. Federer was the first, the guide and the most revered. It is the end of an era. Farewell to the tennis player par excellence.
