The most legendary tennis moments of 2022: Federer and Nadal cry and hold hands, Rublev’s powerful anti-war statement

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were pictured weeping and holding hands as Russian player Andrey Rublev made a strong anti-war statement in two of the most iconic tennis moments of 2022 – but what else did the year bring?

Federer wasn’t the only legend to retire, as Serena Williams also gave up her racket, while Aussie bad boy Nick Kyrgios made headlines for his behavior at Wimbledon as he finished second.

British men made history at the US Open and there was even a protester who ran onto the pitch and set himself on fire at the Laver Cup in London. Metro.co.uk takes a look at the most memorable tennis moments of 2022…

Federer and Nadal cry and hold hands

Is this the most iconic photo in the history of the sport? It’s up there. Two of the greatest tennis players of all time. Two of the greatest sporting rivals of all time. Crying together and holding hands at Roger Federer’s last match.

The duo competed in some of the greatest tennis matches in history, winning a combined 42 Grand Slam titles. It was nice that they decided to team up in doubles for Federer’s last dance.

The pair – known collectively as Fedal – have a love and respect for each other that you just don’t see in other sports between sizes. They were praised for the gesture of breaking toxic barriers related to masculinity. If it’s okay for these athletic giants to cry and hold hands, then it’s okay for all men.

Rublev’s strong anti-war statement

Some say that politics has no place in sport, but the reality is not so simple. The Russian invasion of Ukraine had a huge impact on tennis that year, prompting Wimbledon to ban both Russian and Belarusian players from SW19.

The decision – which meant top-10 players Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev could not play at the Grand Slam – was controversial and divisive, prompting the ATP and WTA to strip the championships of their ranking points.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February and Moscow-born Rublev responded by writing “no war please” at the Dubai Tennis Championships in what would undoubtedly become one of the most iconic moments of 2022. He won the event!

Kyrgios breaks down at the Majors

Love him or hate him, Nick Kyrgios is a player you can’t take your eyes off of. Notorious for his antics on and off the pitch, his preparation for this year’s Wimbledon final – as well as the league match itself – has been riddled with controversy.

The tennis rebel called a linesman a “snitch” and was called a “bad racket” by Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Australian also spat at a bystander, repeatedly broke the strict dress code and bickered with reporters at press conferences.

His loss to Novak Djokovic in the final also made headlines when he argued with a “drunken” spectator and had him sent off for “700 drinks” while being jeered for a controversial armpit serve. Absolute checkout!

The protest year

One of the most shocking tennis moments of 2022 came at London’s Laver Cup when a climate change protester stormed past security and ran onto the pitch and set himself on fire. Fortunately, no one was injured and he was taken away.

The Wimbledon final was also interrupted by an activist shouting “Where’s Peng Shuai?” held. signs and shouted: “Where is Peng Shuai, Chinese tennis star who is being persecuted by the Chinese government, why does Wimbledon say nothing?”

There were further protests at Wimbledon when a group of women lobbied the All England Club to relax the dress code for female players due to period issues. Wimbledon has responded and now allows colored underwear.

Serena Williams is retiring…or is she?

Serena Williams is the most successful player of the Open Era and arguably the greatest player of all time. With her sister Venus, she created a legacy that will last forever. Unfortunately, she has finally made time for her career.

Or did she? Williams was set to hang up her racket after this year’s US Open, but the 41-year-old, 23-time Grand Slam champion has since hinted she turned her back, even claiming she “wasn’t retired” by the end . October.

Some have speculated that we will see Williams back on an exhibition tennis court in 2023, while others have predicted that she will make a full-blown comeback on the WTA Tour. Whatever happens, she remains a sports icon and a true GOAT.

Brits write Flushing Meadows history

Great Britain made history at Flushing Meadows in August when four men reached the third round of the US Open for the first time ever.

British No. 1 Cameron Norrie – who also reached his first Grand Slam semifinal at Wimbledon that year – was joined in the third round by veteran Andy Murray, British No. 2 Dan Evans and young star Jack Draper.

This performance broke the previous record of three British players in the third round, set in 1968 and repeated again in 2016. The future looks bright!