WATCH: Roger Federer gets a rousing reception from fans during the opening day of the Laver Cup 2023

Federer returned to watch the Laver Cup after he last played the tournament in 2022.

WATCH: Roger Federer gets a rousing reception from fans during the opening day of the Laver Cup 2023

Roger Federer (via: Laver Cup)

The seventh edition of the Laver Cup set off with much excitement yesterday on the 22nd of September. In the stands, there was former tennis professional, Roger Federer who marked his presence as a “special guest” at the day of the very first match. As the screens lit up with the Swiss’s face, the audience delivered a big round of applause.

Last year, the Swiss played the last tournament of his career at the 2022 Laver Cup. In his last match, he teamed up with another legendary player and one of his arch-nemesis, Rafael Nadal to represent Team Europe. The iconic pair clashed with America’s Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe over three sets. Team Europe lost the match scoring 6-4, 6-7, 9-11 as Federer said good-bye to his yester-years. The Swiss brought 20 Grand Slams and several accolades back home and established himself as one the best players in the sport.

YouTube video

This time around, Federer stepped on court for a coin toss to kick start the match between Team World and Team Europe. While the doubles’ match was being played, Federer’s face popped up on the big screens at the stadium. What followed were people applauding for the Swiss as he smiled through the cheers. Federer was later interviewed by Jim Courier as the day marked the anniversary of Federer’s last competitive match at the 2022 Laver Cup.

FS Video

Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe partnered together to beat Andrey Rublev and Arthur Fils representing Team Europe. Team World won the thrilling doubles’ encounter, scoring 6-3, 4-6, 10-6 over three sets. At the end of Day 1, the score stood at 0-4 with Team World heavily dominating over Team Europe.

Also Read: Andy Murray explains his beef with barbers which forced his wife Kim to become his permanent hairdresser

Roger Federer fulfills his promise to Rafael Nadal

Tennis star Roger Federer had revealed earlier that he sent his sons to fellow tennis player and old rival, Rafael Nadal‘s tennis academy. The Swiss said that he took the decision after he saw his boys had begun taking an interest in the game. It is worth noting that back in 2020, the Swiss tennis sensation claimed to have given his word that he’d be sending his children to his arch-nemesis camp. Two years later, the 42-year-old did just what he said.

Roger and Rafael, Roger's twin sons
Roger and Rafael, Roger’s twin sons (Images via X, tennisnet.com)

Federer, who is father to 4 kids, twin daughters, Myla and Charlene,14 and twin sons, Lenny and Leo, 9,sent his kids to 2 different Tennis academies over the summers. He sent his boys Nadal’s academy. “They (Myla and Charlene) were up at [John] McEnroe Academy in East Hampton, and the boys were in Mallorca at the [Rafael Nadal] camp for a couple of days,” he revealed in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

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