CLASSY Rafael Nadal posted a touching tribute to his "friend and rival" Roger Federer following the Swiss great's retirement news.
And the Spaniard said he "wished this day had never come" as he prepares for life on the tennis tour without his long-term sparring partner.
Federer, 41, revealed in a lengthy letter on social media this afternoon that he is calling time on his remarkable career after 24 years, 1,526 matches and 20 Grand Slams.
Fans, fellow players and celebrities shared their sadness at the decision.
But Nadal – whose own blistering career has been intertwined with Federer's success – shared a deeply personal and emotional message for his greatest opponent who he has formed a special bond and friendship with over the years.
The reigning Australian and French Open champ wrote on Twitter: "Dear Roger, my friend and rival.
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"I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.
"It’s been a pleasure but also an honour and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court.
"We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still lots of things to do together, we know that.
"For now, I truly wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your kids, your family and enjoy what’s ahead of you.
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"I’ll see you in London @LaverCup."
Nadal and Federer will put their rivalry aside once again as team-mates for Europe at the O2 Arena next week.
The iconic duo will link up with fellow legends Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray as well as Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud for a star-studded squad to take on Team World.
Federer and Nadal helped kickstart the greatest generation of men's tennis ever with Djokovic joining the pair a few years later.
The Swiss and the Spaniard have faced off 40 times in total including four times at Wimbledon.
They met in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 finals at the All England Club, with Nadal claiming the latter 9-7 in the fifth set in arguably the greatest tennis match of all time.
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Federer, whose last competitive match was at Wimbledon 2021, trails the head-to-head 16-24 – but did win their most recent contest in the semi-finals at SW19 in 2019.
The eight-time winner had hoped to make one more appearance on the famous lawns but his body has struggled to recover from three knee surgeries.
Federer wrote: "I've worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body's capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been dear. I am 41 years old.
"I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognise when it is time to end my competitive career.
"I have laughed and cried, felt joy and pain, and most of all I have felt incredibly alive.
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"I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart, to everyone around the world who has helped make the dreams of a young Swiss ball kid come true.
"Finally, to the game of tennis: I love you and will never leave you."
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