Roger Federer's incredible tennis career is sadly over.

On Friday evening, the Swiss superstar stepped out onto court for the very last time and unsurprisingly, things got emotional.

Federer played alongside his eternal rival Rafael Nadal in a doubles match against Team World’s Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at the Laver Cup.

The pair of GOATs were defeated 4-6, 7-6 (2), 11-9, but the contest at the O2 Arena will live long in the memory.

Both Federer and Nadal were in tears after the conclusion of the game, a moment that ranks among the greatest in the modern history of professional sport.

Read more - Federer & Nadal cry during emotional retirement

Tennis just will not be the same without Federer, but the time feels right for him to bow out of the game.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Roger Federer of Team Europe looks on during Day Two of the Laver Cup at The O2 Arena on September 24, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images for Laver Cup)

Federer's incredible tennis career

The 41-year-old turned pro way back in 1998 and went on to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record eight Wimbledon titles. He was also ranked number one in the world by the ATP for 310 weeks, with 237 of them coming in succession - another tennis record.

He's simply one of the greatest sportspeople of all time and that's why many want him to hang around for a few more years.

In an interview with Nadal at the Laver Cup, Federer was asked if he was tempted to put his retirement on hold and keep playing doubles.

The responses from the pair were just so wholesome.

Video: 'Are you not tempted at all to just keep playing doubles together?'

In reply to the question, Nadal jokingly said: "Maybe! I can retire from singles!"

Federer then humorously quipped: "We think we're gonna be a great doubles pair and at the end we win nothing!"

You just love to see it.

The affection the pair clearly have for each other is why their rivalry ranks among the best seen in any sport.

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe speak during the doubles match between Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe of Team World and Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe during Day One of the Laver Cup at The O2 Arena on September 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)

After his final game, Federer made it clear how happy he was to play alongside Nadal to sign off his glittering career.

“I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time … the match was great," Federer told Jim Courier on court. "I couldn’t be happier. It’s been wonderful. And of course, playing with Rafa on the same team and having the guys – everybody here, all the legends – thank you.”

Federer also took the opportunity to tearfully heap praise on his wife, Mirka, adding: "She could have stopped me a long, long time ago, but she didn’t. She kept me going and allowed me to play. It’s amazing. Thank you.”