Team Europe won its third Laver Cup title on Sunday. The competition concluded in dramatic fashion with Team Europe having to come from behind to clinch the victory. The tournament was played at the Palexpo Arena in Geneva, Switzerland. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer were the main attractions at the event. The two experienced players were active on the sidelines, offering advice to their teammates and exchanging strategies with one each other during matches.
Injury on the final day
Nadal was scheduled to play a doubles match with the 38-year-old Swiss on Sunday, but he was unable to compete due to a hand injury. Without the Spaniard, Team Europe got off to a bad start and lost the first two matches, falling to an 11-7 deficit. A victory by Federer over John Isner put them one point behind. Alexander Zverev completed the comeback by defeating Milos Raonic in the deciding match. Nadal was excited to have been part of the event despite suffering the injury. The 33-year-old decided to play at the Laver Cup after winning the US Open weeks earlier in a tough match against Russian Daniil Medvedev.
Great to be teammates
The 19-time Grand Slam champion was delighted to have spent time with Federer at the Laver Cup. He has revealed that the two bonded at the tournament. After years of facing each other in high profile matches, the Spaniard said it was nice to be teammates with the Swiss and help each other win. He said, “We really enjoy being part of this great atmosphere here in the Laver Cup. Being together, sharing opinions, different perspectives on how we see the game. And honestly, it is great to have him on the team.”
Rafael was pleased to share some time with Federer and said that they were comfortable with each other now because of their advanced ages and experience. “At the end of the day, we have our age. And we are not 20 anymore. We appreciate each other so much and all of the things we made together during our very long careers that we are having.” With the conclusion of the Laver Cup, Nadal is looking forward to some rest. He has admitted the short turnaround after the US Open had left him feeling tired. “I think I need some rest. I’ll take some days off with the family and friends.”
Rafael Nadal’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.2, Nadal played his last match on the 8th of September when he beat Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 in the final in U.S. Open to win his 84th career title.
This year Rafael has a 47-6 win-loss record. The Spaniard clinched 4 titles in 2019 in Rome, at the French Open, in Montreal and at the U.S. Open. The Spaniard was the finalist at the Australian Open.
Roger Federer’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.3, the Swiss played his last match on the 3rd of September when he surrendered to Grigor Dimitrov 3-6 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-2 in the quarter in U.S. Open.
This year the Swiss has a 43-7 win-loss record. The Swiss has won 3 titles in 2019 in Dubai, in Miami and in Halle. Roger was the finalist in Indian Wells and in Wimbledon.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer played each other 42 times. The head to head is 26-16 for Nadal.
The last time that they squared off, Roger Federer won 7-63 1-6 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal in London in 12th July 2019.
Here the highlights.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer |
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