Roger Federer set to play ‘special’ final match of career on Friday with Rafael Nadal after retiring five weeks ago due to eye disease.
Federer is not planning on retiring but instead intends to play a three-set match with Nadal, as he gears up for what is set to be his final career match.
Federer will retire this week, having won his 19th Grand Slam singles title and tying Pete Sampras’ record.
Federer has played in five career Slams, which will be his final Slam before he retires on September 1.
Federer will play a five-set match against American rival Nadal at US Open on Friday, marking the first time he has played a match in the final three sets at a Grand Slam event.
The former world No. 1 will face Nadal in the quarter-finals of a tournament he only has won 13 times in an event that also means nothing for tennis’ most-beloved man.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I will play with a smile on my face,” Federer said on Tuesday.
“I will play with the spirit, also. That’s what I always work on for. A win is a win. That’s what my life has been about. I have always wanted to play in all the majors. Just not with this eye problem.”
The Swiss legend will make his final appearance at the US Open in New York.
It was Nadal’s only appearance at Flushing Meadows before he retired against Juan Martin del Potro in last year’s final.
Nadal, who has reached all four Slam finals, also won his ninth title there in 2012.
He will play Federer for just the second time, having won the title in 2012.
Federer will retire at the age of 39 and at No 1 in the ATP rankings, also the highest for the No 1-ranked tennis player who has never competed in a Grand Slam final.
The only other non-No 1 champion at the US Open, Andy Roddick, will retire