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'Fedal forever!': Internet moved after Roger Federer cries with friend and rival Rafael Nadal while bidding adieu

'With Roger leaving the tour, yeah, an important part of my life is leaving too,' says Rafael Nadal

LONDON, ENGLAND: Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer bid adieu to the international tennis circuit after playing his last match on the ATP tour on Friday, September 23. He teamed up with his close friend and one of his greatest rivals, Rafael Nadal, who is a legend in his own right, to take on Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe. The four players produced a match for the ages. Federer's vintage shots and classic timings alongside his friend for the last time was a treat to watch for the packed passionate crowds at London's O2 arena. 

However, the iconic duo fell short by a scoreline of 6-4, 6-7(2), 9-11 and pictures and videos of Federer breaking down in tears in the post-match interview have flooded social media. The Swiss mastero was in tears shortly afterwards, not due to the result, but because of the people he could share the moment with. Nadal, who was listening to Federer speak, was also teary-eyed. He wept as they embraced one another in the middle of the court and the 20-time major winner shared a moment with the rest of the players from both teams. 

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The world of tennis, then, saw the rarest visual that no one has ever seen before and most probably, will never see again. While two-time BRIT Award winner Ellie Goulding performed, both Federer and Nadal sat next to each another courtside as they cried. Fans from all around the world were ecstatic to see the iconic duo have mutual respect and love for each other, despite being the fiercest of the competitors in this sports industry for almost two decades. 

“With Roger leaving the tour, yeah, an important part of my life is leaving too because all the moments that he has been next or in front of me,” Nadal said following the match. “So [it’s] been emotional to see the family, to see all the people.” While the two have different styles of play, their relationship off the court is one of a kind. “Our styles make our matches and our rivalry probably one of the biggest and most interesting,” he added. “I think every year, the personal relationship gets better and better. … It’s something very beautiful after all the things that we shared together and all the important things that we [fought] for such a long time.” 

The video of Federer and his rival Nadal crying during the former’s farewell match surfaced on Twitter and netizens couldn’t stop pointing out how necessary and heartwarming it was. One Twitter user wrote, "'No I am not crying, you are!' That's his fiercest rival Rafael Nadal sitting beside him - A great rivalry but even greater Friendships! Nadal is every Tennis fan sobbing right now after watching Roger Federer retire from the tennis, Fedal Forever!" "There's something so beautiful about Federer and Nadal, two grown men, crying and being emotional and vulnerable,” a Twitter user pointed out. “All these grown men crying... Federer, Nadal, me..,” wrote another. 

Indian cricketer, Virat Kohli also posted a heartfelt tribute post on his Instagram account with the caption, "Who thought rivals can feel like this towards each other. That’s the beauty of sport. This is the most beautiful sporting picture ever for me 🙌❤️🫶🏼. When your companions cry for you, you know what you’ve been able to do with your god given talent. Nothing but respect for these 2. "

One user tweeted, "Watching Federer Nadal & Djokovick crying is enough to make a grown man cry.. " "I reckon the Federer-Nadal crying together moment is going to be on all of our LinkedIn timelines for weeks/months, in the form of life/leadership/startup/entrepreneur/relationship/vulnerability lessons," tweeted another. A twitter user added, "Emotional vulnerability is mentally sexual. Caring is sexy. Crying is sexy. Accepting what you feel is sexy. Showing emotions is sexy. Oh!, Beautiful too." 

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