The O2 Arena lived last Friday one of the most emotional nights in the recent history of sport. Roger Federer played his last match as a professional tennis player and decided to do it alongside Rafael Nadal. The two legends played a doubles match in the Laver Cup that will go down in history for everything that happened moments after it ended.
The tears of Federer and Nadal, sitting on the European bench with clear displays of affection as the Swiss was bid farewell in the stadium, quickly became viral. The Balearic tennis player spoke about that unforgettable moment in El Partidazo de la Cope. "I'm a sensitive person. In the end when you fire someone you appreciate it's hard not to get emotional," explained Nadal, who acknowledged that when he got to the hotel room he couldn't help crying again. "I just got emotional again."
"There were a lot of emotions together. There have been many years of enjoying one of the best athletes of all time, not only because of his titles but also because of the way he got them. In history, winning hasn't been seen in such an elegant, majestic way and with so much ease. Doing everything so beautiful and winning so much is unlikely to happen again".
The rivalry between Nadal and Federer on the court has not prevented them from maintaining a fantastic relationship that has turned into friendship over time. "From the beginning our relationship was good and over the years it has grown stronger. In the end you realize that you have experienced something special and that is how the world of tennis has perceived it. The rivalry has made our personal relationship been more important than professional.
According to Nadal, both tennis players began to appreciate all their historical confrontations from about a decade ago. We have shared so many experiences together, with moments of sadness for one and joy for the other...".
The Mallorcan also explained how Federer's proposal to play that last match together came to him. Momentarily removed from tennis to be by his pregnant wife, only the Swiss' request made him travel to London for a few hours. "15 days before he announced his retirement, he did not know if he would be able to play doubles. When he confirmed that he would play, I told him that I would be with him if the situation at home allowed me. The fact that he wanted to play with me is something exceptional." .
Nadal highlighted the "very difficult months" that Federer has lived through, who has finally been unable to prolong his career due to injuries. "He loves what he's done so much for so long that he never wanted that moment to come. But everything in life has an end and he's had to come to terms with it. Surrounded by the people he loved, it was hard not to get emotional."
The man from Manacor assured that his tears had nothing to do with his current delicate situation, with constant physical problems that do not allow him to have the desired continuity. "I know that that moment (retiring) will come and that after all, at my age, I am in the final stretch of my sports career. But now I don't think about it and I don't want to think about it."
Finally, Nadal admitted that he "would be excited" to play an exhibition match against Federer at the new Bernabeu, but said he had "no idea" of that proposal. As anecdotes, he explained that "in a small committee" he called his friend Roger Rogelio and that in Hamburg 2007, after losing to the Helvetian in the final, he asked him for his shirt and for him to sign it, since with that victory Federer had put end to Nadal's streak of 81 games without losing on clay.
He also confessed that in the 2009 Roland Garros final, the only tournament Federer won in Paris, he went with Robin Soderling, his executioner that year. "At the time I didn't want Federer to win that final. He had number one options and he would pass me in the rankings. However, I am a person who loves the sport and had won it in three Roland Garros finals. Someone who was so close he deserved to win that tournament. When he wins it I get emotional and cry to see him complete the 4 Grand Slams".
