Some of the most iconic moments of Roger Federer's glittering career featured Rafa Nadal across the net but on Friday his great Spanish rival will be alongside him for his final bow.
The 41-year-old Federer, winner of 20 Grand Slam titles and for many the greatest player to wield a tennis racket, is back in one of his favourite cities to bring down the curtain on a 24-year professional career that scaled staggering heights.
He will partner Nadal for a doubles match on the opening day of the Laver Cup at London's O2 Arena -- a three-day team event in which Europe takes on the Rest of the World.
Federer announced last week that the Laver Cup would be his final competitive event having failed to overcome a nagging right knee issue that required multiple surgeries.
While that injury means he is unable to feature in a singles match here in London, he will conclude the opening day alongside men's record 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal as they face American duo Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.
As farewells go, it simply could not be better.
Federer played Nadal 40 times in one of the most compelling rivalries witnessed in tennis.
Who could forget their 2008 Wimbledon final when Nadal denied Federer a sixth consecutive title, the time Federer cried following defeat in a brutal 2009 Australian Open final, or the 2017 Australian Open final when Federer ended a five-year wait for his 18th major title by defeating Nadal in a classic.
No quarter has ever been given on the court but despite the ferocity of their duels, deep respect endures.
Which is why Federer said earlier this week that playing with Nadal would be a beautiful way to conclude a career that caught fire when he claimed his first Grand slam title in 2003 by winning Wimbledon.
Europe's captain Bjorn Borg, not surprisingly, granted him his wish.
"It's going to be a different kind of pressure to be part of this historic moment," Nadal told reporters.
"It's going to be something amazing and unforgettable for me. I'm super excited. maybe we can create a good moment and maybe win the match."
Federer cut a relaxed figure as he sat with his team mates, including 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and twice Wimbledon champion Andy Murray.
