The three players who ended Roger Federer’s and Rafael Nadal’s tennis careers on the ATP Tour

Stan Wawrinka became the latest tennis legend to retire from his playing career after losing in the Basel Open first round on Tuesday evening.

Wawrinka, a three-time major champion, saw his career come to an end at the hands of world number 21 and Miami Open finalist Jiri Lehecka.

The Czech player triumphed 7-5, 7-6 in the Swiss city and will face German player Daniel Altmaier in the second round.

Wawrinka has become the third tennis icon to retire this month, following Gael Monfils and David Goffin.

The Swiss superstar has now joined the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in retirement. Federer and Nadal both saw their careers come to an end earlier this decade.

Roger Federer played against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock in his final-ever ATP match

Federer, one of the driving forces behind the Laver Cup, played his last event at the ATP Tour exhibition tournament in 2022.

The Swiss superstar, a winner of 20 Grand Slam titles, competed alongside his great rival, Rafael Nadal, in doubles.

2022 Laver Cup results [Team World defeated Team Europe 13-8]

• Casper Ruud defeated Jack Sock 6-4, 5-7, 10-7
• Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated Diego Schwartzman 6-2, 6-1
• Alex de Minaur defeated Andy Murray 5-7, 6-3, 10-7
• Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe defeated Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal 4-6, 7-6, 11-9
• Matteo Berrettini defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6, 4-6, 10-7
• Taylor Fritz defeated Cameron Norrie 6-1, 4-6, 10-8
• Novak Djokovic defeated Frances Tiafoe 6-1, 6-3
• Matteo Berrettini and Novak Djokovic defeated Alex de Minaur and Jack Sock 7-5, 6-2
• Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jack Sock defeated Matteo Berrettini and Andy Murray 2-6, 6-3, 10-8
• Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6
• Frances Tiafoe defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6, 7-6, 10-8

Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock, two Americans representing Team World, defeated Federer and Nadal on day one of the competition, triumphing 4-6, 7-6, 11-9.

Federer and Nadal were in tears as they sat in their chairs and watched a tribute video after the contest.

“It’s been a wonderful day. I’m happy, not sad. It feels great to be here. I’m happy I made it through,” Federer said during his on-court speech.

“It’s been the perfect journey. I’d do it all again,” he added.

Botic van de Zandschulp ended Rafael Nadal’s career

Nadal’s professional tennis career came to an end at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals.

Botic van de Zandschulp triumphed 6-4, 6-4 against the 22-time Grand Slam champion in the first rubber of the quarter-final match between Spain and the Netherlands.

Carlos Alcaraz gave fans hope of an extension to Nadal’s career after beating Tallon Griekspoor in the second rubber.

Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers were subsequently beaten 7-6, 7-6, by Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof, resulting in the end of Nadal’s career.

“It has been 20 years of a professional career in which you have carried me through the good times, and in the bad you pushed me to keep playing,” Nadal said while speaking to the crowd in Malaga, Spain.

“I want to congratulate the Netherlands and thank the whole Spanish team that is here, who have let me play the Davis Cup again, which has not gone as we all wanted. I have given everything I had.

“The truth is that you never want to get to this point. I’m not tired of playing tennis but my body doesn’t want to play anymore and you have to accept that. I feel super privileged, I’ve been able to make my hobby my profession for a long time.”