Roger Federer caught telling emotional message to children while crying after final match | Tennis | Sport

Roger Federer was caught imparting an emotional message to his children after playing the final match of his professional career on Friday night. The Swiss ace teamed up with long-time rival Rafael Nadal for a Laver Cup doubles match as the duo were ultimately beaten by Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.

The match proved to be a spectacular affair as Federer and Nadal – affectionately nicknamed ‘Fedal’ – won the opening set 6-4, before losing the second one on a tiebreak. The third set was played as an extended tiebreak, with the tennis heroes having a match point at 9-8 up. But Sock and Tiafoe eventually won it 11-9.

Federer was cheered throughout the encounter as 17,500 tennis fans from across the world packed into the O2 Arena in London to see the 20-time Grand Slam champion in action for the final time. And following the match, the 41-year-old broke down in tears as the significance of the occasion dawned on him.

At one point the cameras panned in on him as he embraced his wife and children. “I’m so happy,” he told his children while the tears rolled. “I’m not sad, okay.” The veteran then wiped a tear away from his eye before hugging his mother as Ellie Goulding sang in the background.

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And following Friday’s showdown, Federer remained upbeat. “I was able to remind myself always on the court again how wonderful this is,” the legendary player said. “This is not the end-end – life goes on. I’m healthy, I’m happy, everything’s great – and this is just a moment in time.

“The last two days have been tough to say the least. Thankfully in moments I totally forgot about it, slept great. Everything was wonderful – I could enjoy it I feel. And because of that I think I will be able to have a better recollection of how it went.”