TENNIS
Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer to team up for the Laver Cup
Team Europe will take on Team World in the Laver Cup, and Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are hoping to play together in the men's doubles.
Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer will link up for Team Europe at this year's Laver Cup.
Nadal became the record holder for men's singles grand slam titles on Sunday, as he came from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev in the final of the Australian Open. Federer, who like Novak Djokovic has 20 grand slam titles to his name, has not featured since losing to Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last year. The Swiss star is recovering from a knee injury and chose to sit out the season's first major in Melbourne. However, injury permitting, the great rivals will team up to represent Team Europe in London in September.
Europe have won the last four editions of the tournament, though neither Nadal nor Federer featured in 2021.
"The Laver Cup is such a unique event and I've loved competing in it," said Nadal, who has played in the competition twice before. "I suggested to Roger we should play doubles together in London and he seems keen, so now we just need to persuade our captain Bjorn [Borg]. Roger has been a huge part of my career, a big rival and also a true friend. To be part of Team Europe together is great and if we're able to possibly share the court one more time as a doubles pairing then this would be a truly special experience for us both at this stage in our careers."
Federer added: "I'm really looking forward to getting back into competition later this year and Laver Cup is very much part of my plan. It's no secret that I love the event and I'm super excited to be returning to The O2 and to London, one of the greatest cities in the world. Rafa is an incredible person and an inspiration to me and countless others around the world. He messaged me on social media after the Laver Cup in Boston last year suggesting we play doubles in London and I am definitely up for a Laver Cup 'Fedal' comeback!"
Federer and Nadal have only teamed up for a doubles match once before – in the inaugural Laver Cup back in 2017. On that occasion, they beat American pair Jack Sock and Sam Querrey in three sets.