Roger Federer electrifies Day 1 of Laver Cup 2023 with coin toss for Team World vs Team Europe match ft. Frances Tiafoe and Andrey Rublev
Roger Federer recently made a special appearance at the 2023 Laver Cup, lighting up the arena with a coin toss for the Team World and Team Europe doubles match.
In what was a bittersweet night nearly 12 months ago, Federer walked away from tennis at the Laver Cup 2022 after an illustrious career. The 'Swiss Maestro' teamed up with his longtime rival and friend Rafael Nadal to square off against the American duo of Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at the O2 Arena in London.
Although the pair lost the match in a tight three-setter, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 9-11, the former World No. 1 honorably parted ways with the sport that gained him numerous accolades and global recognition.
However, Federer's retirement did not affect his eternal love for the sport.
In an exciting turn of events at this season's edition of Laver Cup underway in Vancouver, Canada, Roger Federer stepped on court at the Rogers Arena to kick off the doubles showdown between Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul (Team World), and Andrey Rublev, Arthur Fils (Team Europe) with a coin toss.
"The final match of Day 1 is brought to you by special guest @rogerfederer"
In the highly anticipated doubles contest between Team World and Team Europe, Americans Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul triumphed over the pair of Russia's Andrey Rublev and Frenchman Arthur Fils 6-3, 4-6, 10-6.
With this victory, Team World gained a 3-0 lead over Team Europe in the Laver Cup.
Frances Tiafoe reminisces on beating Roger Federer in latter's farewell match in Laver Cup 2022
Frances Tifaoe recently reminisced about his performance against Roger Federer in the previous year's edition of the Laver Cup.
Following his doubles victory over the pair of Federer and Nadal in the annual team competition, the American opened up about how the results did not matter owing to the gravity of the Swiss's farewell match.
"Me and Jack were joking, should we go hard, should we not, should we make it a good show? I’m glad we went out there and played hard. The result was so irrelevant. Tennis won that night," he said, according to New York Times.
The World No. 11 further revealed that he lauded the 20-time Major winner when they shook hands at the net.
“Thank you for the last 20-plus years. Thank you not only for your on-court play, but for who you are as an individual. What you’ve done will never die,” he said to Roger Federer.