A very special ‘Fedal’ moment

A tearful Roger Federer ended his historic career with defeat alongside long-time rival Rafael Nadal in a doubles match at the Laver Cup in the early hours of Saturday.

Tears flowed, naturally, for Federer, but the vision of Nadal, the Swiss Maestro's long-time rival-turned-friend, crying alongside him tugged at the heartstrings of tennis fans and their fellow players.

With a sellout crowd of 17,500 at London's O2 Arena willing him on, the 20-time Grand Slam champion returned after more than a year away to play alongside Rafa Nadal, the Spaniard with whom he shared one of tennis's most captivating rivalries.

The result felt a mere formality as pictures and videos of Federer and Nadal - who shared one of tennis's most enthralling rivalries - crying together after combining for Team Europe in a doubles defeat at London's O2 Arena went viral on social media, leaving their legions of fans highly emotional.

"Who thought rivals can feel like this towards each other. That's the beauty of sport. This is the most beautiful sporting picture ever for me. When your companions cry for you, you know why you've been able to do with your god given talent. Nothing but respect for these 2."

Sharing the photo on Twitter, former India captain Virat Kohli posted an emotional tribute to both the tennis legends.

The heart-warming scene has been shared by many fans along with their messages as they were touched by the shared 'Fedal' moment.

In arguably the most moving visual in the history of tennis, both Federer and Nadal were sat next to one another courtside as they continued to cry.

The respect and admiration the pair have for each other is clear to see and Federer choosing to end his illustrious career alongside his pal and greatest rival was very fitting.

Nadal, who has won a men's record 22 Grand Slam singles titles, said it was a difficult night for him emotionally.

"For me, has been huge honour to be a part of this amazing moment of the history of our sport, and at the same time a lot of years sharing a lot of things together," the Spaniard said of Federer.

"When Roger leaves the tour, yeah, an important part of my life is leaving too because all the moments he has been next or in front me in important moments of my life. So has been emotional (to) see the family, see all the people. Yeah, difficult to describe. But, yeah, amazing moment."

Federer, who won 20 major singles titles, played Nadal 40 times in one of the most compelling rivalries across any sport.

Loud cheers accompanied Federer and Nadal, or "Fedal" as they are jointly nicknamed, on to court. After entertaining the sellout crowd during the match, both were overcome by emotions.

"I think every year the personal relationship gets better and better, on a daily basis," Nadal, 36, told reporters. "I think in some way we understand at the end we have a lot of things similar. We approach the life probably similar.

"On court we have completely opposite styles, and that's what probably makes our matches and our rivalry probably one of the biggest and most interesting.

"Very proud to be part of his career in some way. But even happier to finish our career like friends after everything we shared on court like rivals."