Spanish stalwart Rafael Nadal has revealed why he became super emotional during Roger Federer’s last match in the Laver Cup, saying it was because an important part of his life was leaving with the retirement of the Swiss ace.

Nadal and Federer share a rivalry dating back to 2004, and while they were the fiercest of rivals on the tennis court, they remain the best of friends off it. Federer first faced Nadal in 2004 at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami. They clashed a further 39 times over the years, competing against each other in 24 finals.