Rafael Nadal withdraws from Laver Cup due to personal reasons
ATP
Rafael Nadal withdrew from the 2022 Laver Cup after playing alongside Roger Federer in the Swiss Maestro's last professional tennis match.
Nadal was the player who got to stand on the court with Federer in the Swiss' last-ever match. The two took on Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe, and even though they lost, it was the retirement ceremony that was the most important part of the evening.
Nadal cried a lot during Federer's ceremony, maybe even more than the retiring man himself. It was clearly an emotional moment for him as one of his greatest rivals left the sport. Nadal and Federer played against each other 40 times, with the Spaniard winning 24 of those matches.
Although he competed in doubles, Nadal won't continue in the remainder of the tournament. He's going through a challenging period in his personal life.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion's wife is currently pregnant with their first child, and reports from Spain suggest that she had to be hospitalized.
Nadal admitted that he struggled with sleep at the event, which is likely one of the reasons why he has also decided that it would be best to go home instead of trying to stay in London.
"I am not doing well. It's been a tough time for me. I hardly slept. It was stressful. Luckily, everything is okay, and I was able to get here."
Still, Nadal didn't want to miss Federer's retirement ceremony. Although they once used to be big rivals, that rivalry turned into a friendship, which is why the Spaniard wanted to be there when Federer said his goodbye.
"You will definitely see me and Roger play together again. We have a close friendship. I knew how important this night was for him, and I could not miss it."
After Matteo Berrettini replaced Federer at the event, Nadal will be replaced by the second alternate, Cameron Norrie.
