Roger Federer ahead of final match: 'I am nervous, because I haven't played for so long'

Men's tennis legend Roger Federer announced his upcoming retirement last week. The 20-time Grand Slam victor will take the court one final time on Friday in doubles play at the Laver Cup and is hoping to share his final games alongside longtime rival and friend, Rafael Nadal.

"I know my limitations, and this is why I asked Bjorn [Bjorg, the Europe captain] if it's OK that I play just one doubles," Federer said at a news conference at London's O2 Arena on Wednesday. "I guess that one would have to be Friday night. ... So here I am, trying to prepare for one last doubles. We'll see how it is. I am nervous, because I haven't played for so long. I hope it goes well."

According to ESPN's Simon Cambers, playing in just one doubles match requires a "tweaking" of the Laver Cup rules -- a "team competition between Europe and the rest of the world in which players usually have to play at least one singles and doubles." If they are able to make the exception for Federer, he would be replaced by Matteo Berrettini for Saturday and Sunday.

Nadal, who is five years Federer's junior at 36 years old, is the all-time leader in Grand Slam men's singles titles with 22, while Novak Djokovic has 21. Federer retires alone in third place on the list, well ahead of fourth-place Pete Sampras, who retired in 2002.

The Spaniard standout and Swiss star have met head-to-head 40 times in their careers, with Nadal holding the edge by a 24-16 count. The final matchup between the duo went to Federer in the 2019 Wimbledon semifinals, 7-6 (7-3), 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.

"Of course, no doubt," Federer said about the prospect of playing with Nadal one more time. "I think it could be quite a unique situation, if it were to happen. For as long as we battled together, having had always this respect for one another, our families, coaching teams, for us as well to go through a career we both have had, come out the other side and have a nice relationship, is maybe a great message to tennis and beyond. ... For that reason, it would be great, I don't know if it will happen, but it would be great."