Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer was moved to tears while he shared the stage with blind Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.
Bocelli, a famous opera singer who hails from Tuscany, held his most recent concert in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday, and delivered a masterful performance. But it was the closing minutes of the night that put the crowning touch inside the Hallenstadion.
Federer was among the high-profile attendees of the concert but was completely stunned when he heard the 65-year-old singer call him by his name and invite him on the stage where he would close the session with his final number: Nessun Dorma.
The crowd instantly erupted when the 20-time Grand Slam champion left his seat and walked onto the stage. Federer, dressed in a stylish black cardigan on top of a blueish sweater, shook hands with Bocelli and exchanged hugs, and stood by his side to listen to the last aria.
"Among us tonight there is a living legend, Roger Federer. For me, it’s really an honor to dedicate the last aria to him for the emotions that he gave to everybody. And I would like to have him here on stage with you."
Federer was all smiles, but as Bocelli rounded off his version of the song, the 42-year-old became emotional and could be seen wiping away the tears repeatedly. The pair soaked all the applause from an exuberant crowd and Federer would accompany Bocelli offstage.
Federer is very much living the life since his retirement from professional tennis in 2022. But even as he has established a massive brand outside tennis, he has not distanced himself from the sport entirely.
He remains a key member of the Laver Cup tournament which recently announced the participation of World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz next year. Federer was also present in an ATP tournament in October where he was presented with the Icon Athlete award at the Shanghai Masters.
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