Babar Azam wishes Federer a happy retirement (AP)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Babar Azam calls Federer iconic and one of a kind
- Babar Azam wishes Federer a happy retirement
- Federer retired from competetive tennis after participating in the Laver Cup in London
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam paid tribute to tennis legend Roger Federer after he retired from professional tennis at the Laver Cup in London. Azam called Federer iconic and one of a kind in his message to the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
“Greatness personified. One of a kind. Iconic. Happy retirement, you absolute legend!,” Azam posted on twitter.
Greatness personified. One of a kind. Iconic.
Happy retirement, you absolute legend @rogerfederer! pic.twitter.com/sjzTxlFLcA
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) September 24, 2022
The Pakistan batsman wasn’t the only cricketer to congratulate the retiring Swiss. Indian batsman Virat Kohli also took to social media to pay homage to the 20-time Grand Slam winner.
Kohli shared the emotional picture of on-court rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, saying it is the most beautiful sporting picture for him.
“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,” Kohli said on Instagram. “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,” Kohli posted on Instagram.
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The 41-year-old played his final competitive match alongside Rafael Nadal in a doubles event at the Laver Cup. However, the pair representing Team Europe ended up losing 6-4, 6(2)-7, 9-11 to Team World’s Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock.
After the match, both Federer and Nadal broke into tears in front of a packed house at the O2 Arena. The duo had one of the most compelling rivalries, having faced each other 40 times.
22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal in an emotional tribute said Federer was an important part of his life.
“When Roger leaves the tour, yeah, an important part of my life is leaving too, because he has been next or in front of me at all the important moments of my life. So it has been emotional (to) see the family, see all the people. Yeah, difficult to describe. But, yeah, amazing moment,” said Nadal after Federer’s final match.
The Swiss maestro walks away from the game with 20 Grand Slam titles to his name, including eight Wimbledon titles, six Australian Open titles, five US Open titles, and a solitary French Open title.
