They were all there, in this O2 Arena in London, to experience the apotheosis. Rafael Nadal of course, his luxury teammate for this ultimate doubles encounter, but also Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, members of the Big Four, Björn Borg and John McEnroe in their coaching costume, Rod Laver as a distinguished guest of a competition who bears his name or his dad Robert Federer, of course.
From the start of the meeting against the American pair made up of Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe, smiles appeared on the faces of the two big stars of the discipline. There was a certain serenity between the two men, which no small misunderstanding in the game – very legitimate – could come to disturb.
And this class, this elegance! No, the Swiss hasn’t lost any of his game. We would even come to beg him to stay on the circuit. But when the body no longer wants…
On the bench, Novak Djokovic, as he had already demonstrated with Andy Murray, did not hesitate to give his advice. Sometimes, one could even have believed that he was the coach, Björn Borg showing himself a little timorous as leader of the “Europe” team.
Coincidence or not, on the next game, Federer and Nadal offered themselves a first break point. The challenge ? Quite simply the gain of the first set. A drop shot from Jack Sock into the net later, the Swiss and the Spaniard could shake hands (6-4).
The second set was just as hard fought as the first, with an almost identical scenario, except for a service game lost by each pair in the middle of the set. But this time, it was the Sock-Tiafoe pair that came through (5-7).
There remained therefore a decisive tie-break (first team with ten points) to be disputed. And in an incredible atmosphere, the four men pulled the plug, making splendid shots. Roger Federer was the first to serve for the match at 9-8. Unfortunately, she was quickly dismissed. All profit for the two Americans who did not miss their first chance to win (9-11).
Great moment of emotion for Roger Federer who, when joining his teammates, burst into tears. Followed shortly after by Rafael Nadal, his most faithful rival and nevertheless friend.