A chapter of tennis history came to a close in September when Roger Federer laced up his sneakers for one final time at Laver Cup. What he wore for his last professional match is now on display at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I.
In addition to the UNIQLO outfit and On tennis shoes he wore on court, both featuring Team Europe's signature blue hues, Federer signed a copy of his retirement letter to fans for the exhibit.
Fans planning a trip to Newport can find the outfit and letter located in the Hall of Fame's Laver Cup exhibit, adjacent to several of Federer's other contributions to the museum—including a hologram experience by Rolex that features his likeness.
"This addition to the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to the final chapter in a defining career," ITHF CEO Todd Martin said in a statement. "We are tremendously grateful to Roger for this generous loan, and for valuing our mission to preserve tennis history as it happens.
"The ITHF congratulates Roger on all his achievements, the example he has set for everyone in the sport, and for his dedication to the sport’s history. We know this exhibit will inspire countless fans and visitors."
Federer fittingly signed off at Laver Cup—an event inspired by golf's Ryder Cup and created by his management company to honor the all-time great that its named for—amongst some of his greatest rivals and closest friends on-court, with family watching on from the stands. The rest of the Big Four—Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray—were on hand for an emotional send-off, as his Team Europe teammates.
The Swiss announced his intentions to retire at Laver Cup a week prior to it beginning, having previously not played a competitive match in more than a year as a result of a longstanding knee injury and multiple surgeries.
"I consider myself one of the most fortunate people on Earth," Federer wrote in his emotional farewell. "I was given a special talent to play tennis, and I did it at a level that I never imagined, for much longer than I ever thought possible."
For his final goodbye, Federer played doubles with Nadal and lost to Team World's Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe, 6–4, 6–7(2), [11-9], on the opening night of the 2022 event at London's O2 Arena in front of a sell-out crowd. Team World went on to win the event for the first time in its five-year history.
