Rafael Nadal reveals his first reaction to news of Roger Federer's retirement; 'In your mind you miss something, no?'

Rafael Nadal has admitted it will be "difficult to handle" the emotions on Friday as he plays alongside old-rival Roger Federer in the final match of the Swiss legend's tennis career.

The career rivals have been paired up to bring the curtain down on Federer's career with a doubles match on Day 1 of the Laver Cup, an event founded by Federer's management company.

The pair will represent Team Europe against Team World's Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe at London's 02 Arena.

"One of the most, if not the most important, players in the history of this sport that is leaving after super great and super long career.  Some of us, we were able to have this... to share this long career together having, some of us, a lot of success.  So it's true that when first he's leaving, yeah, in your mind you miss something, no?  In a personal way, yeah, it has been very, very, very sad news and a tough day."

Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam winner, announced last week on social media that he would retire at the team event after struggling with a knee problem and does not feel able to play singles.

The 41-year-old's last competitive match was a defeat by Hubert Hurkacz in last year's Wimbledon quarter-finals.

Europe take on a world team in the three-day Laver Cup, where Italian Matteo Berrettini will take Federer's place over the weekend.

Federer played Nadal 40 times in total across his 24-year career with the Spaniard winning 26 times and ten times out of their 14 Grand Slam match-ups

The 36-year-old came out on top in their classic 2008 Wimbledon final, considered by some the greatest match in history while Federer won their last showdown, in the 2019 semi-finals at the All England Club.