The day had arrived. A tearful Roger Federer bid adieu to tennis after playing the final match of his career. He played his last match alongside his rival-friend Rafael Nadal in the Laver Cup.
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Federer, arguably one of the greatest champions in tennis history, retired after losing to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe pair of the Team World in a late-night London tie-break. The Team World eventually triumphed, with a score of 4-6, 7-6 (11-9). And on a lighter note, a fan was seen taking his shirt off at the other end and going crazy during the first set break.
Fan celebrated by taking his shirt off during the final match of Roger Federer
During the first set break, Team Europe was leading with a score of 4-3. Both Nadal and Federer were seen sitting and relaxing post the set break. Right at that moment, there was this fan who went crazy and took his shirt off. Almost 10 shirts were being peeled off, with one RF white shirt remaining at the end.
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‘Hey, you know this guy? This guy’s from the US Open,‘ said Federer with a smile to his teammates. Nadal, in return, recognized that fan by referring to him as the man who always ‘taking the shirts [off].‘
Talking about the crazy fan, he was initially wearing a shirt with gold buttons, took it off, twirled it above his head, and then tossed it into the crowd. A commentator was claiming that the man had flown in from the US, particularly for the event. Federer and Nadal appeared to enjoy what was happening as much as the enthusiastic crowd who were seen clapping and dancing.
Another unusual event that took place on the same day
During the match between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Diego Schwartzman on the opening day of the Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London, a protester entered the court and lit his arm on fire.
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A man has set his arm on fire after invading the court at the Laver Cup on Roger Federer’s last day as a professional tennis player. pic.twitter.com/g0LcBU8PeJ
? Sam Street (@samstreetwrites) September 23, 2022
He entered the court after Tsitsipas had won the first set, wearing a shirt that read, “End UK Private Jets,” in all capital letters. He poured a liquid onto his right arm and lit it on fire while seated comfortably inside the service box.
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?It came out of nowhere. I have no idea what it?s all about. I never had an incident like this happen on-court, so I hope he?s all right,? said Tsitsipas. Stefanos Tsitsipas eventually went on to defeat Schwartzman with a score that read 6-2, 6-1.