As Roger Federer prepares to say farewell to competitive tennis on Friday, teaming up with his greatest rival, Rafael Nadal, for one last doubles match, his millions of adoring fans around the world are bracing themselves for what is sure to be an emotional weekend.
Federer’s legendary, 24-year career will come to an end at the Laver Cup, where the Swiss maestro is part of Team Europe along with the other members of the so-called tennis Big Four: Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
The line-up is set for Day 1 of #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/HnulRs01KX
They will take on Team World at London’s O2 Arena, which witnessed numerous battles between the formidable European quartet during the years it served as host venue for the season-ending ATP Finals.
London is also where Federer claimed 11 percent of his career victories, lifted the Wimbledon trophy eight times, and clinched two of his six ATP Finals titles.
#Fedal pic.twitter.com/DiTxIcXf7u
As such, it is one of many places around the globe that have played a significant part in Federer’s storied career, during which he gained unrivaled popularity that made it seem like he had home-court advantage wherever he competed.
As we reflect on that career, it is impossible to ignore Federer’s connection to the Middle East, especially Dubai, which for nearly 15 years was considered his second home.
He first competed at the Dubai Tennis Championships and the Qatar Open in Doha in 2002. After a visit to the UAE in 2004 he decided to buy an apartment there and use it as a second base for training at various points during the tennis season.
“On the way back from Bangkok, when I beat (Andy) Roddick in the finals there, I came through Dubai, met up with Tony Roche for a practice session, sort of an undercover operation,” Federer once said of that 2004 trip.
“I remember it was brutally hot, I think like 39 degrees every day. I had a good time practicing. It was peace and quiet and I kind of enjoyed it here. I think I came back one more time for a vacation and practiced some more. I was like, I think this works well for practice and leisure.
“The next thing I knew, I had an apartment. It all happened quite quickly. It was funny how it all worked out.”
Between 2002 and 2019, Federer competed in the Dubai Tennis Championships 14 times. He retires with a 53-6 win-loss record there, and lifted the trophy eight times. It is one of four tournaments he has won eight or more times, the others being the Halle Open (10), the Swiss Indoors (10) and Wimbledon (eight).
While Federer has played to sell-out crowds at stadiums the world over and enjoyed a tremendous amount of support from fans at each and every venue, his supporters in Dubai treated him like a local hero because essentially that is what he was. The annual tennis tournament there became one of the most-attended sporting events on the emirate’s busy calendar in large part because of him.
A video recently shared by the Tennis Channel showed a match in Dubai between Tomas Berdych and Borna Coric that was temporarily halted early in the first set because of a noisy commotion coming from outside the stadium. The reason? Federer had arrived and was being mobbed by screaming fans looking for autographs and photos taken with him.
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Federer’s last appearance at the Dubai tournament, in 2019, recorded its own slice of tennis history when he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final to claim the 100th title of his career.
In some ways it was a “full-circle” moment as it came 17 years after Federer first competed in the emirate, a debut in which he was accused of tanking by the tournament director, who tried to withhold his prize money.
Reflecting on that 2002 controversy after his victory in 2019, Federer said: “Tanking second round? I played frustrated the last couple of games in the match against Rainer Schuettler because I was young and crazy. I was so fed up with my game. I just started to go for big shots.
“The tournament director wasn’t happy with what he saw. Anyway, he withheld everything but the tour said, ‘No chance you can do this. Roger tried, so it’s all good.’
“Then I came back the next year, wanted to prove a point. I ended up going for four in a row, so … that’s what happens sometimes. You have to learn it the hard way.”
It wasn’t long before Federer became a serial winner not only in Dubai but on all of the sport’s grandest stages.
Along the way he would stop off in the UAE for preseason training and would even practice there in the summer, sometimes, to build endurance and stamina in the extreme heat.
He was regularly spotted on the courts at Al-Qasr or Meydan. He frequented popular restaurants such as Tasha’s or Flamingo Room. He even invited young players to train with him from time to time. Soon, other players started to follow his lead and use Dubai as a training base.
“Maybe I set the trend a little bit,” Federer said in 2015. “I’m very happy I took that decision and I’m sure it’s helped me, in the process, to be mentally more sane as well on the tour. Knowing I have a place to come back to, I can leave my bags, I come home and feel like, maybe I’m not in Switzerland but it still feels a little bit like home. It’s been good for me.”
Federer’s most striking moment in Dubai did not come during competition. Instead, it took place in 2005 when he played tennis with Andre Agassi on a court laid out on the helipad of the seven-star Burj Al-Arab hotel, 690 feet above the ground. Video footage of the spectacle, which was organized to promote the Dubai Tennis Championships, is arguably among the most watched in all of sports. Organizers claim it has been viewed more than three billion times.
“I didn’t know at the time when we were doing this that it was going to have such an impact,” said Federer.
“I had an idea of how we could make it better by making sure we had a helicopter that was going to film it all around to really show what kind of a platform we were playing on, instead of maybe just having a picture taken from the hotel where you couldn’t really tell how high up we are. And I think that made one of the differences.
“And ever since, everybody talks about it and I hear stories of people saying, ‘Can we play tennis here at the tennis court?’ And they tell them, ‘We don’t have one.’ And they’re like, ‘No, no, I know you do.’ It’s just a myth now, which is fantastic.”
This weekend’s action in London at the Laver Cup is shaping up to be something very special. On Thursday, Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic shared a court during a doubles practice session in front of packed stands at the O2.
heading to dinner with some friends @RafaelNadal @andy_murray @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/2oYR3hnGaZ
Federer and Nadal will take on Team World’s Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock in a doubles match on Friday. It is set to be Federer’s only game during the event and will mark the last time the 41-year-old plays a competitive professional game.
“It would be safe to say that everyone would like to be part of that (doubles match),” Team World captain John McEnroe said on Thursday.
“No one was running away from that one, believe me. I don’t think it gets a whole lot more exciting than that, to be part of sort of history. We had to flip some coins there.”
For Federer, ending his career at a team event such as a Laver Cup and partnering with his fiercest rival for his final match is the kind farewell party he was hoping for.
“I was in a very worried, scared place to face the music, the media, the fans and everything, being able to talk about it in a normal fashion without getting emotional, just because I know how much it means to me,” Federer said of his retirement.
“But I feel like I probably went through a lot of different stages — I don’t know if you can call it grieving — and then you get to, I really don’t want it to be a funeral. I want it to be really happy and powerful and party mode, rather than the other side.”
Judging by the photo Federer shared online on Thursday of the Big Four on a boat in tuxedos as they headed to the Laver Cup Gala, the party has already started.
ROME: It was a rough night for two teams expected to be World Cup contenders. England lost at Italy 1-0 and were relegated from the top tier of the Nations League, and Germany lost at home to Hungary by the same score.
Italy, who didn’t qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, went ahead at the San Siro when Giacomo Raspadori controlled a ball over the top from Leonardo Bonucci and scored from the edge of the area in between several England defenders.
Italy full back Federico Dimarco also hit the post in the rematch of last season’s European Championship final which was won by the Azzurri.
The goal of the night belonged to Hungary captain Adam Szalai, who scored with an audacious backheel flick 17 minutes in following a corner.
Germany captain Thomas Muller, who was marking Szalai, didn’t appear to take into account that Szalai was going to attempt a shot on goal with his back to the net from a sharp angle but the ball sailed over the head of goalkeeper Marc-Andreter Stegen and inside the far post.
Hungary lead Group 3 with 10 points, followed by Italy (8), Germany (6) and England (2).
On Monday, Italy visit Hungary and England host Germany in the final round of group matches. The group winner books a spot at the finals in June.
Bosnia and Herzegovina were promoted to League A following a 1-0 win over regional rival Montenegro, with Ermedin Demirovic scoring in first-half added time after being set up by Edin Dzeko.
Unbeaten Georgia secured promotion from League C with a 2-0 win over visiting North Macedonia following an own goal from Bojan Miovski and another from Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has five goals and five assists in eight Nations League matches.
Estonia were promoted from League D after beating Malta 2-1.
The US put on a dismal performance in a 2-0 loss to Japan in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Daichi Kamada scored following Weston McKennie’s giveaway in the 24th minute, and Kaoru Mitoma added a goal in the 88th. In their next-to-last World Cup warmup, the Americans failed to put a single shot on goal.
Japan are preparing to play in its seventh straight World Cup.
Also, Qatar-bound Cameroon were beaten by Uzbekistan 2-0, and South Korea, who have also qualified for the World Cup, drew with Costa Rica 2-2.
Iran — in a World Cup group with England, the US and Wales — beat Uruguay 1-0.
World Cup host Qatar lost to Canada 2-0 in Vienna.
LONDON: Roger Federer wrapped up his superlative professional tennis career at age 41 with a loss in doubles alongside longtime rival Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup on Friday night. Federer, who won 20 Grand Slam titles, and Nadal, whose 22 are the men’s record, paired up for Team Europe and were beaten by Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World 4-6, 7-6 (2), 11-9 at the O2 Arena. Federer announced last week that this team event founded by his management company would be his final event before retirement, then made clear the doubles outing would be his last match. Until Friday, he had not competed anywhere since a quarterfinal loss at Wimbledon in July 2021. Shortly after that, the Swiss star had a third operation on his right knee. It was poetic that Federer would close things out by sharing a court with Nadal, who was often an on-court nemesis but became an off-court friend. Before Federer, the men’s mark for most major tennis championships was 14 by Pete Sampras. Federer blew past that, accumulating eight at Wimbledon, six at the Australian Open, five at the US Open and one at the French Open. His substantial resume includes 103 career singles trophies in all, 310 weeks at No. 1 in the ATP rankings, a Davis Cup title and Olympic medals. Beyond his elegance and effectiveness on court, Federer was seen as a statesman for tennis, someone whose immense popularity helped drive fans to the sport.
Saudi Arabia had Mohammed Al-Owais to thank for avoiding defeat in their World Cup warm-up match against Ecuador in Spain on Friday, which ended in a goalless draw.
The Al-Hilal goalkeeper was in sparkling form as he kept Herve Renard’s men from falling to a third consecutive loss at the hands of South American opposition, following defeats in June by Colombia and Venezuela.
With less than two months to go before their World Cup opener against Argentina, followed by games against Poland and Mexico, Friday’s draw will be seen as a decent result for the Green Falcons, even if they were second best for much of the game, struggled to make an impression in attack and failed to find the net for a third game in a row.
The South Americans dominated the opening period and will have been frustrated not to be ahead at the break. They should have gone ahead in the ninth minute when Pervis Estupinan sent over a perfect cross from the left. Piero Hincapie was able to get between three defenders and head the ball into the top corner of the net — or so everyone thought. Suddenly, Al-Owais came flying across the goal to make a fantastic save. It was not to be the only time the 30-year-old would be called into action.
There was still less than 15 minutes on the clock when Ecuador had their best chance of the game. Riyadh Sharahili was caught in possession at about the midway point of his own half and the ball was fed to Enner Valencia. Suddenly finding himself through on goal, the Fenerbache forward cut in from the left side but dragged his shot wide when faced with the onrushing Al-Owais.
Soon after, the striker did the same thing from a tighter angle on the other side of the area, as the men in yellow continued to find ways to get behind the Saudi defense.
On the 20-minute mark, Estupinan fired a free-kick over the bar as the pressure continued to mount. The gaps at the back were again in evidence moments later when a through ball from inside the Ecuador half almost released Valencia once more.
With Ecuador firmly in control, Saudi Arabia almost took a shock lead five minutes before the break during a rare foray into opposition territory. Hincapie fell over near the penalty area and suddenly Firas Al-Buraikan, the top scorer in the Saudi Professional League last season, was in on goal. The Al-Fateh forward pushed into the area and though he had options for passing, he rightly decided to go for goal himself. But the shot was tame; low and straight at Alexander Dominguez, who made his first real save of the game.
The first half ended on a more familiar note. Firstly Valencia’s long-range shot was turned away by Al-Owais, who then had to make another fine save from the resultant corner as Valencia again came close.
There was more energy in the opening period of the second half from the Saudis as they looked to get in the faces of their opponents and deny them time and space on the ball.
Clear chances were still hard to come by but at least Ecuador, who will line-up against Qatar in Doha on Nov. 20 in the opening match of the World Cup, were not cutting through the Saudi Arabian defense quite as often as they had in the first half.
But then Al-Owais was forced back into action as he pulled off an impressive double-stop from substitute Jose Cifuentes. The Los Angeles midfielder’s first shot, a half-volley from the edge of the area, was cleared by the goalkeeper’s boot. His volleyed follow-up bounced up off the turf and was looping toward the top of the net when Al-Owais acrobatically tipped it over the bar.
He made an even better save with 17 minutes remaining, when Michael Estrada outpaced Ali Al-Bulaihi to run onto Estupinan’s long ball. Al-Owais was quick off his line to make the save.
Saudi Arabia’s best attacking moment came with eight minutes remaining. Salem Al-Dawsari, who had been working hard without ever managing to have the influence he wanted, saw his shot blocked and the rebound fly straight into Dominguez’s arms.
Ecuador continued to push for a winner but could not find a way past Al-Owais, who did more than enough to ensure that any talk of replacement by goalkeeping rival Abdullah Al-Mayouf, left out of the squad by Renard, will fade for now.
Al-Owais has another chance to impress on Tuesday, when the Saudi preparations for the World Cup continue with a match against the USA, who were defeated 2-0 by Japan on Friday in Germany.
LE HAVRE, France: Richarlison struck twice as Brazil showcased their World Cup credentials by putting on an attacking masterclass in a 3-0 victory over Ghana in Friday’s friendly in Le Havre. Marquinhos headed Brazil in front from a corner and Richarlison doubled the lead before the half-hour. The Tottenham Hotspur striker nodded in a third on 40 minutes. Unbeaten throughout World Cup qualifying, Brazil’s only competitive loss since going out to Belgium in the 2018 quarter-finals in Russia came against Argentina in last year’s Copa America final. Brazil coach Tite fielded a strong, attack-minded side that could well start their opening game of the World Cup against Serbia in Lusail on November 24. Ghana lost Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey to injury in the warm-up, on what was a challenging night for the Black Stars. Five-time world champions Brazil hit their stride right away, Neymar unhindered by the small cut during Wednesday’s training session that required minor treatment. In red-hot form to start the season with Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar quickly began to threaten down the left in tandem with Vinicius Junior. Richarlison blazed over from Lucas Paqueta’s cutback, the new West Ham signing also fizzing a shot just past the post. Brazil were soon in front though as Marquinhos powered in from Raphinha’s inswinging corner in the ninth minute. Raphinha should have scored himself when Vinicius’ audacious cross with the outside of his right boot picked the Barcelona man out at the far post. Neymar created Brazil’s second goal, allowing Thiago Silva’s pass to run beyond him before rolling it toward Richarlison, who swept a first-time shot low into the corner of Joseph Wollacott’s goal. The PSG star was again the provider as Brazil increased their advantage, whipping in a free-kick that Richarlison glanced home at the near post. Ghana barely avoided conceding a fourth before the break when Neymar teed up Paqueta, whose effort was saved by Wollacott before Raphinha’s follow-up was blocked. Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams, who won one cap for Spain in 2016, and Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu came on for their Ghana debuts at half-time. Bremer, the center-back who joined Juventus from Torino in July, made his first Brazil appearance, replacing Thiago Silva. Andre Ayew’s header clipped the bar on the hour as Ghana finally tested Brazil, whose rhythm slowed as Tite turned to his bench with the introduction of Antony and Matheus Cunha. Former England Under-21 international Tariq Lamptey, another of Ghana’s new recruits, got his first minutes for the four-time African champions as Otto Addo emptied his bench. Neymar nearly capped off another sparkling performance with a goal of his own, but shot weakly at Wollacott after a mesmerising run. Atletico Madrid’s Cunha was denied a first Brazil goal in the closing minutes by a desperation goalline block after Wollacott parried Rodrygo’s attempt. Brazil take on Tunisia in their final pre-World Cup tune-up at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Tuesday, while Ghana head to Spain to face Nicaragua. Elsewhere, Cyle Larin and Jonathan David were on target as Canada beat World Cup hosts Qatar 2-0 in Vienna. Mehdi Taremi got the only goal as Iran beat Uruguay 1-0 while Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 with Ecuador.
TURIN, Italy: Juventus reported a record loss of 254.3 million euros ($246 million) for the 2021-22 financial year at a board of directors meeting on Friday — adding to its recent struggles on the field. Their the fifth consecutive year Juventus have reported a loss, and their 44.4 million euros ($43 million) more than in 2020-21. Juventus said the increase in losses was mainly due to decreased income from TV rights and media revenues due to fewer Champions League matches. Juventus were eliminated by Villarreal in the first knockout round of last season’s Champions League. The Bianconeri have also lost their opening two matches of this season’s Champions League — to Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica — and have won just two of seven Serie A games. Last weekend, Juventus lost at promoted Monza — raising questions about the status of coach Massimiliano Allegri.