Biding adieu to a thing that one has dedicated one’s life to is never easy. Everyone saw Roger Federer achieve 20 Grand Slams and create history in tennis effortlessly on-court. But behind the scenes lay a story of resilience and challenges for the former World No. 1. When he retired in 2022, with his longtime rival on-court Rafael Nadal standing by his side, tears rolled down his face as flashbacks of his career occupied his mind. Recalling the historic night of his last match in the Laver’s Cup in London, the Swiss Maestro revealed his “overwhelming emotions” at the time.

Roger Federer, who previously admitted that “I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form” recently appeared in his doctorate graduation ceremony at Dartmouth College in the United States. During the event, he confessed, “People would say my play was effortless. Most of the time, they meant it as a compliment. But it used to frustrate me when they would say, ‘He barely broke a sweat’, or, ‘Is he even trying?'”

Debunking all the myths, he further added, “The truth is, I had to work very hard to make it look easy.” Apart from just utilizing his talent, he said that it was his ‘grit’ that helped him reach the top of tennis. His graceful way of moving across the court was talent, yes, but the effortlessness came from hours upon hours of working hard for it as well.

Reminiscing about the last moments of his career in the Laver Cup, Federer recently appeared for an interview where he said, “Throughout all these years I have experienced overwhelming emotions and I have shown how much I care about the sport, the kind of love I have for my family and for the fans, and I wanted to show gratitude.”  

A father of four kids ( two pairs of twin sons and daughters), the 42-year-old former player added, “I have been very lucky, and in the end that last moment came, for which I had to work so hard. It’s crazy. I worked for I don’t know how long, a year or more, to be able to play that last doubles match.”

Calling it “crazy,” the Swiss further emphasized how he enjoyed the “beautiful” moments of that match. Although he lost the doubles game (4-6, 7-6 (2), 11-9) against Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe, the night remained etched in every tennis fan’s hearts forever for a different reason. 

“It’s been a perfect journey,” he said on the night of his farewell. However, fans knew that even his “perfect journey” had its own set of difficulties. Even after surgically repairing his right knee three times, Federer struggled with his form. It all became too serious after his Wimbledon quarterfinal loss in 2021, which was his official last singles match.

During his emotional farewell match in London, the spectators there made it even more special for him as they chanted his name and celebrated him for his enormous contribution to tennis. And Federer’s last words there further made everyone teary-eyed.

Roger Federer’s “wonderful day” of his last match in London

Roger Federer’s upcoming “Federer: Twelve Final Days” docuseries is a gift to his fans that showcases his final few days leading up to his retirement. Set to release on June 20th it offers a glimpse of those iconic moments in tennis history- the farewell night when Federer overwhelmed with emotions could hardly utter a word. 

“It’s been a wonderful day. I told the guys I’m happy. I’m not sad. I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time. Everything was the last time. It’s been a perfect journey. I would do it all over again,” Roger Federer finally managed to say on that night.

As his colleagues hoisted him up in the air, Federer’s wife Mirka and their children witnessed the moment with love and affection. Although almost two years have passed since that historical event, which was filled with pain and joy, the legacy he left behind in tennis still remains untouched.