Roger Federer and Nadal in tears before Ellie Goulding gives icon 'bizarre' farewell

Roger Federer has described the moment he was pictured holding hands with Rafael Nadal after his final ever match in competitive tennis as 'a secret thank you' for the moments they shared in the sport. The tennis legend brought a 24-year-long career to an end on Friday night alongside the Spaniard at the Laver Cup, with the 41-year-old understandably emotional at the thought. Federer is considered by many to be the greatest tennis player of all time, given his dominance of the sport for so long in the 2000s.

Rafael Nadal will be the next tennis great to retire from the professional game after watching his iconic rival Roger Federer leave the sport in emotional scenes at the Laver Cup.The Spaniard has won a record 22 Grand Slam titles and bookies believes his Laver Cup tears, in which he was pictured looking hugely emotional next to Federer at the Laver Cup in London, are a sign he is next to quit professional tennis. Nadal currently has 10/11 odds of retiring with Sporting Index, which are shorter than Andy Murray (6/4) and Novak Djokovic (6/1).After winning the Australian and French Open titles this year Nadal was forced to withdraw from his Wimbledon semi-final after struggling with an abdominal injury.

supports HTML5 videoEllie Goulding and Sam Ryder’s surprise duet at a charity gig in London got off to an awkward start as the Flashlight singer missed her cue to start singing.Eurovision icon Sam took to the stage in the capital’s Lafayette venue on Monday for a special concert in aid of charity War Child, and to mark the launch of National Album Day on October 15.Fans were treated to performances of his Eurovision hit, along with tracks from his upcoming album and several covers – including Metallica’s Master of Puppets.One particularly special moment saw Sam introduce Ellie to the stage as a surprise guest, with the pair having hit it off after meeting on BBC’s Big Breakfast earlier this year.They announced they would perform a duet to Rihanna’s 2012 hit Stay, with the crowd, naturally, going wild – however while Sam started off the hit, Ellie became just a tad confused.Raising the microphone as she prepared to sing, Ellie could be heard taking a breath – before turning to Sam and the keyboard player and saying: ‘Oh my God sorry, so sorry!’Both Ellie and Sam began laughing, with the audience cheering in support as the singer sheepishly took a bow.The crowd continued to support her during the awkward moment, with one person heard shouting ‘You’ve got this Ellie!’ and the Space Man singer leading another round of applause.Love Me Like You Do chart-topper Ellie then attempted to join in the track again before changing her mind and announcing: ‘Let’s just start again! Now I’ve got it!’It turned out to be second time lucky, with Ellie expertly following Sam’s introduction with her haunting vocals, leading to a gorgeous duet between the pair.While Ellie may have been embarrassed by the initial blunder, the atmosphere in the

on the cusp of retirement, Roger Federer, 41, was seen smashing the table tennis ball to his opponent last week. “A quick warm up,” he quipped in a video he posted on Twitter, en route to the dinner that preceded his last professional appearance at London’s Laver Cup tournament, the “Ryder Cup” of the tennis world.

Andy Murray says he will not be deserving of a huge Roger Federer-esque send-off when he finally decides to call it a day.The two-time Wimbledon champion, 35, is yet to return to his breathtaking best after undergoing a second hip surgery in 2019 but has cooled rumours of retirement by informing supporters, "I'm really not thinking about that right now."Murray, who this year reached the third round of the US Open, formed part of Europe's Laver Cup team as they were defeated 13-8 by the World team at the O2 Arena in London. READ MORE: Novak Djokovic details WhatsApp group with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy MurrayLosing Sunday's doubles match, alongside Queen's Championship winner Matteo Berrettini, Murray paid tribute to legendary tennis ace Federer, who announced beforehand that the Laver Cup would host his final match on the ATP tour."I certainly won't and don't deserve to have a send-off like that," said three-time major champion Murray, pondering his own retirement plans.

Ellie Goulding soothes her crippling anxiety and panic attacks by snuggling with her little boy Arthur. The singer, 35, shares her toddler, 16 months, with her Eton and Oxford-educated art dealer husband Caspar Jopling, 30, and she says he helps to calm the frantic states which have 'dictated quite a lot of my life and career'. Pop star Ellie's anxiety ramped up when she became a mother and she says it's been made more 'intense' by 'the current climate and what’s going on in the world'.

Mariska Hargitay has established herself as one of the most prominent celebrities on television, and her fame certainly has found ways to many arenas.MORE: Mariska Hargitay wows in leg-lengthening jeans ahead of Law & Order crossoverOne such arena was London's O2, where the TV star was over the weekend to deliver the all-important coin toss at the Laver Cup.VIDEO: Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hagitay shares health update following horror injuryNot only was it a major tennis event that featured some of the world's top seeded legends, but it also marked the last competitive match for Roger Federer.The star of the sport left fans around the world emotional when he announced earlier that he would be retiring competitively from the sport and the Laver Cup would mark his last competitive bout.MORE: Law & Order: SVU's Mariska Hargitay wows in gorgeous throwback wedding photo with famous husbandWhile the mood was definitely one of sadness and reverence throughout the tournament, Mariska was able to be part of history with her contribution."So honored to do the coin toss at @lavercup 2022! And still recovering from saying farewell to the GOAT @rogerfederer on Friday night.

David Beckham took to social media with a heartfelt message for tennis star Roger Federer after his final tennis match at the Laver Cup.MORE: David Beckham celebrates career news following Queen queue praiseThe former football star shared the sweet words for the star on his Instagram Stories to his 75.3 million followers alongside a photo of the legendary player mid-match.WATCH: David Beckham reveals heartfelt reason why he joined the queue to see the Queen's coffinThe doting father penned: "Something we will all miss. Nothing more beautiful than this @rogerfederer."READ: Exclusive: Inside Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic's friendship, rivalry and family lifeSEE: Roger Federer announces retirement from tennis - 'This is a bittersweet decision'Last week, Roger announced he was retiring from the sport.

Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran and Ellie Goulding have donated items to a raffle raising money for Ukraine. Harry, 28, has donated a signed vinyl LP, with Ed offering a tour brochure and signed T-shirt and Ellie donating a signed merchandise bundle. The trio have joined celebrities including Swedish House Mafia and Annie Lennox in donating to the World Health Organization foundation's raffle to raise money for Ukraine’s health care system, following the invasion of the country by Russia.

Roger Federer produced some glimpses of his best tennis during his farewell match at the Laver Cup last night. The Swiss Maestro teamed up with great friend and rival Rafael Nadal to contest the last match of his illustrious tennis career.He has provided us with many memorable moments over the course of the last 24 years, but even in his final tennis appearance, the 20-time major winner treated fans to something they'd never seen before when he managed to squeeze a forehand through the net.

Roger Federer sheds tears after his final match during the 2022 Laver Cup at The O2 Arena on September 23, 2022 in London, England.

Novak Djokovic has spoken about the WhatsApp group he shares with some of the greatest tennis players both past and present.The Serbian opened up about the fact that he and his rivals have a conversation group on the app - conceding that off the court the four even spend some ‘quality time together’.Speaking exclusively to discovery+ and Eurosport, where you can watch the Laver Cup this weekend, the 35-year-old touched on competing on the same team as other tennis legends, such as Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Rafael Nadal. He said: “It’s great we will have a chance to spend some quality time off the court together.READ MORE: Roger Federer could miss final event in London despite tickets costing fans up to £15k“We have team dinners and will chat about tennis, sports, life.

Tennis great Roger Federer, who recently announced his retirement from the game, will go out with a longtime friend and rival by his side: Rafael Nadal will partner with Federer tomorrow night for London’s Laver Cup.

Roger Federer will end a 25-year career when he partners Rafael Nadal in a doubles match at the Laver Cup in London.The 41-year-old is ending a glittering career which has seen him win 20 Grand Slam tournament titles, including Wimbledon eight times. So it is an incredibly fitting end that the Swiss star ends his career in the capital playing alongside Nadal who has rivalled him for the last 17 years.Federer's retirement was an enforced one after knee injuries have plagued the star over the last three years.

Novak Djokovic has taunted Andy Murray over his knowledge of London after Roger Federer had to explain what building the Shard was to the Scot. The humorous moment came as all members of Team Europe except Rafael Nadal took a stroll along the banks of the Thames ahead of the start of the Laver Cup, a tournament that will prove to be the Swiss legend's last in the sport. The Laver Cup gets properly underway on Saturday with a day of practice taking place today at the O2 Arena in the capital.

63 Grand Slam trophies between them and have delivered some of the greatest moments in tennis history. And now tennis fans are about to see the Big Four - Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal - team up on the court when they compete - not against each other, but as teammates - at this year's Laver Cup.Despite being rivals on court, these tennis greats have a friendship that goes beyond Grand Slam competitions.

Roger Federer has announced he will retire from professional tennis later this year at the age of 41, meaning tributes have been pouring in for one of the greatest players of the sport. The 20-time Grand Slam champion will play the Laver Cup tournament in London next week (known as the tennis version of the Ryder Cup) for his final professional competition. In a letter posted to his social media accounts, Federer broke the news about his "bittersweet decision" to fans:"To my tennis family and beyond.

Roger Federer once slammed his tennis rivals by taking a dig at their ‘wife-a-year’ bed-hopping antics.The Swiss tennis legend, 41, announced on Thursday that he was set to retire as one of the greatest players ever. He said in an emotional statement that he ‘knows his body’ before calling time on a career which included 20 Grand Slam titles.During that time, one of the constants which has undoubtedly been integral to his success is his wife Mirka.