Roger Federer has told Rafael Nadal that he must do something he “doesn’t want to” and be the boss when they pair up for the Swiss star’s final match on Friday night. The 41-year-old will end his career in the doubles with his biggest rival by his side, and confessed that his game wasn’t good enough to take charge.
Federer will retire at this week’s Laver Cup, playing one final match in Friday night’s doubles tie alongside the biggest rival of his career. It will be the second and final time that the multi-Grand Slam champions pair up, having previously played together at the inaugural Laver Cup in 2017.
Federer and Nadal will take on Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe from Team World in the last match of the 41-year-old’s career, having beaten Sock and Sam Querrey in their previous outing on the doubles court five years ago. But the Swiss player wants his partner to take charge this time around, even though he doesn’t want to.
“This time Rafa has to be the boss,” the 20-time Major champion said during Thursday’s Laver Cup practice day in front of a packed O2 Arena crowd. “He doesn’t want to be the boss.”
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