“We Both Cried”: Years Before Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s Iconic Laver Cup Moment, Wayne Gretzky Faced a Similar Situation in His Final Game in 1999

The 20 years of the decorated NHL career of Wayne Gretzky have seen a lot of greatness. This also includes the moment when he set foot on the ice rink of the NHL as a player for the last time. It was similar to the Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer‘s Laver Cup retirement event. In fact, the event was one of the most emotional moments in sports history, as it marked the retirement of a tennis legend.

In an interview, Ulf Samuelsson recalled his moments with Wayne Gretzky during the hockey legend’s last game. He recalls the months with the Great One he had on and off the field. Even though it had been decades, he was hit with the same wave of emotions as in 1999.

Samuelsson still misses Wayne Gretzky

Sharing different playstyles didn’t create a barrier between them. Although on and off the field, they shared a lot in common. According to Gretzky, they both had the same mindset while playing the sport. He even mentions how both of their wives loved to hang out. They would always have a good time with each other in restaurants having dinner.

“I was injured and the Red Wings gave me permission to go to New York to see Wayne play his last game. He didn’t know I was there until I got down to the bench after the game, and as he waved goodbye to the fans. Suddenly, he was me, and skated over and gave me a hug. We both cried. It was an emotional moment,” Samuelsson recalls as reported by The Hockey Beast. 

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Wayne Gretzky was about to retire after setting unbreakable NHL records. Gretzky had a final dance with the Pittsburgh Penguins, which ended in a 2-1 overtime loss at Madison Square Garden. The entire world was watching one of the greatest ice hockey players walk away from the ice rink.

Different sport but the same emotion

Earlier this year, on September 24, Roger Federer teamed up with arguably his greatest rival Rafael Nadal, and retired from his 24-year-long tennis journey. Federer lost the last match of his significant tennis career to the American pair of Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at the Laver Cup.

Rafael Nadal broke down in tears after Federer gave his farewell speech. The whole sporting world witnessed both holding hands and crying their eyes out. Nadal mentioned in the interview that both his friend and his toughest opponent were going away from the tennis court at the same time.

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Did you also get emotional watching the retirement games of both Gretzky and Federer? Let us know in the comment section.