Casper Ruud left short of words seeing childhood hero Rafael Nadal crying at Roger Federer’s farewell, calls it “Touching and incredible”


Casper Ruud left short of words seeing childhood hero Rafael Nadal crying at Roger Federer’s farewell, calls it “Touching and incredible”

(L) Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal [IMAGO / PanoramiC], (R) Casper Ruud [IMAGO / USA TODAY Network]

World No. 2 Casper Ruud was part of Team Europe that lost to Team World at the 2022 Laver Cup. Ruud will however remember the event as being part of Roger Federer‘s farewell as the Swiss maestro bowed out after spending 24 highly successful years on the Tour.

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Ruud took on Jack Sock to start the tournament while Federer, teaming up with arch-rival Rafael Nadal, concluded the first day but was unfortunate to lose the match against the pair of Sock and Frances Tiafoe. A farewell ceremony was followed after the match which saw Federer and Nadal crying together in one of the most talked about moments across the globe.

 “I felt very lucky and privileged to be so close. Roger came after the match straight away and hugged all his teammates, which was very nice and an incredible moment for me. As I watched him on TV all my childhood, I never expected to be there and that close when he said goodbye.

“He and Rafa both got very emotional. That was touching to witness—how they have been some of the greatest rivals in sports history, but at the same time, are such good friends. Just incredible,” said Ruud as per Tennis.com.

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“I hope I can be there,”: Casper Ruud hopeful to be present for the retirement of other Big-4 members

Roger Federer hugging Casper Ruud - IMAGO / Action Plus
Roger Federer hugging Casper Ruud – IMAGO / Action Plus

With the whole globe talking about Federer’s retirement ceremony and the emotions that it brought out of his colleagues, even Novak Djokovic pondered about his own retirement and how he would like to leave the sport once and for all.

Ruud however was overwhelmed with emotions seeing Federer’s retirement and talked about sharing the experience with his family and friends. The Norwegian however became a bit greedy hoping to be present for the retirement of Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us. I got to share it of course with my teammates, but my family, friends, girlfriend, I think they also enjoyed it. They were watching from the stands every day. I just feel very grateful.

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“When the time comes that the other three—Rafa, Novak and Andy—also say goodbye, I hope I can be there because this was very giving,” added Ruud further. The Norwegian is currently playing at the 2022 Korea Open where he has made it to the quarter-finals as the top seed.

Also Read: Roger Federer discloses how close Andy Murray came to retirement in 2019, says, “We were asked to make farewell videos”

Also Read: WATCH: Novak Djokovic gets emotional seeing Roger Federer spend the final moments of his legendary career with his family