Roger, Rafa, Novak & Andy: Team Europe practice session unites 'Big Four' on the same court
Before the most decorated Laver Cup field takes the court on Friday, the legendary quartet hit The O2 for one unforgettable practice session.
WATCH: Press Conference: Roger Federer's Laver Cup Pre-Tournament Interview
LONDON—Long before the news of Roger Federer’s retirement dominated the Laver Cup news cycle, tennis fans were already salivating over the prospect of a ‘Big Four’ reunion when Team Europe confirmed Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray would be suiting up alongside the Swiss player.
And for the lucky spectators at The O2 on Thursday afternoon, the moment certainly didn’t disappoint.
The Laver Cup’s Open Practice Day featured Team Europe and Team World warming up in front of a packed house.
While fans had plenty of praise for the likes of Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas and alternates Matteo Berrettini and Cameron Norrie, all eyes were understandably on the quartet of former world No. 1s.
The practice took place shortly after the news broke that Federer will team up with Nadal in doubles for the final professional match of his career.
“I am super excited to have them [the other Big Four] on our team and my team and not having to play against them in my last match,” Federer said during the Team Europe pre-tournament press conference. “Of course, it's super special playing with Rafa. Feels really different, you know.
“Also just walking out on court and having the chance to play with the likes of Rafa or Novak also in the past has been an amazing experience for me. So to be able to do that one more time, I'm sure it's going to be wonderful.”
Due to “a tough personal situation”, Nadal arrived in London on Thursday morning and went straight to The O2 to meet the rest of the team.
“Tomorrow [is] gonna be a special thing. I think a very difficult, difficult one. Gonna be difficult to handle everything, especially for Roger, without a doubt. For me too,” Nadal said. “At the end one of the most important players, if not the most important player in my tennis career, is leaving.
“At the end, living this moment will be difficult. Of course I am super excited and grateful to play with him… I just think I gonna try to do my best in every single way, to help to have this moment even more special than what it's gonna be.”
“This is probably the most special moment that I guess we all individually and collectively experienced or will experience,” Djokovic added.
“Laver Cup is the only competition where we get a chance to be teammates and not rivals, and things being even more unique and special because of Roger's last match. So the excitement is incredible.”
“Maybe it doesn't feel the same way for Roger, but I think it feels right, seeing him and Rafa on the same side of the net together and finishing their careers as a team in this event with Bjorn on the side of the court, John McEnroe there, Rod Laver in the stands,” Murray said.
“It’s going to be a really cool way to end an incredible career.”