CNN
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Rafael Nadal withdrew from the remainder of the Laver Cup for personal reasons, after teaming up with longtime rival and friend Roger Federer in doubles to mark the end of Federer’s career.
The Laver Cup confirmed Nadal’s withdrawal on Twitter on Saturday, adding that he would be replaced by Briton Cameron Norrie. Due to an injury, Federer also couldn’t play in the rest of the competition and was replaced by Matteo Berrettini.
Nadal and Federer, who have won 42 Grand Slam titles between them, teamed up one last time on Friday to play a doubles match for Team Europe against Americans Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe representing Team World.
Subsequently, photos of the two men – whose rivalry had transcended tennis – crying next to each other during the post-match ceremony to standing ovations and live music from Ellie Goulding, circulated on social media.
Despite winning two Grand Slams, Nadal’s season was overshadowed by a foot injury and a more recent abdominal injury which forced him to forfeit his Wimbledon semi-final.
He is also expecting his first child with wife Mery Perello, Reuters reported.
“I’m no good, I’m no good,” Nadal told reporters after the game on Friday, according to ESPN. “The truth is that these weeks have been difficult in this sense. Few, very few hours of sleep, a little stress in general, situations a little more difficult than usual at home.
“So, well, I had to deal with all that, which is a different pressure than what you are used to in your professional life. But hey, luckily everything is fine and we are much calmer. And in that sense, I was able to come here, which for me was the most important.
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