An emotional Roger Federer wishes he could ‘go on forever’ as he prepares to retire from tennis
A historic night of tennis awaits in London as Roger Federer bids farewell to the sport and plays the final match of his career alongside Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup. Perhaps the greatest champion in tennis history, Federer will retire from the sport aged 41 and the moment has brought the sport and his rivals together at the O2 Arena.
Federer’s wish to play his final match with arch-rival Nadal has been granted, creating a special occasion with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray also competing for the European team. They will face Team World, which is led by John McEnroe and has lost the previous four editions of the matchplay-style event.
Three singles matches will be played before tonight’s doubles. Casper Ruud won the opening match of the day against Jack Sock 6-4 5-7 (10-7), followed by Stefanos Tsitsipas who crushed Diego Schwartzman 6-2 6-1 to double the advantage of Europe.
However, the match was overshadowed by a freak climate change protest in which a man set his arm on fire while on the pitch, while wearing a T-shirt that read: “End Private Jets in the UK”.
Murray takes on Alex De Minaur before the eyes of the world turn to Federer one last time and the Swiss closes out his legendary career. Follow live updates from the opening day of the Laver Cup below:
Laver Cup 2022 LIVE: Latest updates from Federer’s final tournament
Show latest update 1663961124
Laver Cup 2022: Andy Murray 6-5 Alex De Minaur*
Murray raises his fist and snarls at Federer and his teammates again after clearing an envelope, but as in the previous point, he marks rather loosely forehand.
Back to two: neither player is having it easy. Great hands from Murray at the end though! He gets an encouraging response from De Minaur as the Australian then scores. Murray lets out another sign of relief as De Minaur draws level again, making it six games.
Jamie Braidwood September 23, 2022 8:25 pm
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Laver Cup 2022: *Andy Murray 5-5 Alex De Minaur
We’re close to an hour into a very long opening set. Those waiting for Federer’s last match may have to push back their schedules a bit more…
De Minaur hangs on without too much fuss and Murray will now see if he can use the Australian to stay in the set once more.
Jamie Braidwood September 23, 2022 8:18 pm
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Laver Cup 2022: Andy Murray 5-4 Alex De Minaur*
Murray is able to work his way through his next service game, the serve again pulling him out of some trouble. He’s not able to clear the header into the net, though, and De Minaur takes it for two.
De Minaur goes long on the return but then Murray puts a long one from inside the baseline. This time Murray comes out. Beat De Minaur from the baseline and go ahead once more.
Jamie Braidwood September 23, 2022 8:13 pm
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Laver Cup 2022: *Andy Murray 4-4 Alex De Minaur
The match comes down to earth a bit with some cheeky points, but Murray is able to drag himself back to a deuce on De Minaur’s serve. The Aussie still struggles to put Murray away, before Murray bides his time and then unleashes a brilliant crosscourt winner!
It’s back to two, and De Minaur hits a tight double fault…but then answers with three aces. Well done.
Jamie Braidwood September 23, 2022 8:05 pm
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Laver Cup 2022: Andy Murray 4-3 Alex De Minaur*
Murray hits the serves he needs to go from 15 to 30, before finding an angled forehand to seal the hold and take the match. He returns to his bank a much happier man.
Jamie Braidwood September 23, 2022 7:57 pm
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Laver Cup 2022: *Andy Murray 3-3 Alex De Minaur
From this moment of magic, De Minaur scores twice after a clean play from Murray. He delivers three break points and Murray takes the first! Rugola to Federer, Nadal and Djokovic! great things
Jamie Braidwood September 23, 2022 7:52 pm
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Laver Cup 2022: Andy Murray 2-3 Alex De Minaur*
Amazing from Murray! I can’t believe I just won this point! After being sent running by De Minaur, chasing left and right, sending lobs up, he re-enters the spot and bowls the Aussie with trademark topspin, before volleying into the net! This was sublime, and Murray stops and stares and his bank, friends and rivals all.
Jamie Braidwood September 23, 2022 7:51 pm
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Laver Cup 2022: Andy Murray 2-3 Alex De Minaur*
Murray will require a more powerful and targeted stroke to break De Minaur. The Aussie is happy to play off the back foot, but that’s what Murray does with a superb forehand into the corner.
Jamie Braidwood September 23, 2022 7:46 pm
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Laver Cup 2022: *Andy Murray 1-3 Alex De Minaur
This is Murray’s best. He increases the power of his groundstrokes and finds some success against De Minaur, despite being 40-0 down on the Australian’s serve. Murray gets back to two as De Minuar struggles with a couple of mid-court balls.
Winner! There is a flash of ‘mon! de Murray as he backhands past De Minaur, and Europe’s bench rises! Murray thinks he’s backhanded down the line, but it’s just out.
De Minaur is able to get out of it, thanks to a network cable.
Jamie Braidwood September 23, 2022 7:42 pm
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Laver Cup 2022: Andy Murray 1-2 Alex De Minaur*
Murray is surrounded by the European team as he makes his way to the bench after getting on the board, after a couple of De Minaur’s balls drifted long from the baseline. Nadal leans in to offer a tip or two. It brings a fascinating element to it all.
Jamie Braidwood September 23, 2022 7:35 pm