It was after midnight in London when the final point of Roger Federer’s career was played. That it meant his final match ended in a heartbreaking defeat, on a deciding tiebreak, did not seem to matter. Federer was in tears shortly afterwards, not due to the result, but because of the people he could share the moment with. Rafael Nadal was soon crying beside him. By the end, there was barely anyone who wasn’t.

Report from a special night:

And there’s the final goodbye - an extraordinary night here and plenty more of reaction to come.

Federer now sets off on a lap of the O2, saying goodbye to his fans.

It’s 0:50am and barely anyone has left.

Federer is then joined by both teams in the middle of the court, and they lift Federer into the air!

Federer is met by his wife Mirka courtside, both of them in tears.

This shot of Nadal and Federer is quite incredible.

There is so much love at the O2 for Roger Federer.

Federer signs off: “It’s been a fantastic night. Thank you everybody.”

Rafael Nadal is in tears too. Who isn’t.

“It is amazing. I didn’t want to feel lonely out there. I always felt like a team player, singles doesn’t let you do that. Being on the team with the guys, it’s been a pleasure.

“It feels like a celebration to me. It was exactly as I hoped for.

“It’s been a perfect journey. I would do it all over again.”

Federer tears up speaking about his family and what their support has meant for him.

“It’s been so much fun over the past 13 years,” he says. “They have been so supportive. I could have stopped long ago but they kept me going.”

Roger Federer: “We’ll get through this somehow. It’s been an incredible day. I said to the guys, I’m happy, not sad.

“Everything was for the last time. I didn’t feel stress, even if I thought something might go, a calf, my back. I made it through.

“It was a fun match. Playing with Rafa, having the guys here. Having Rod Laver. Thank you.”

“Roger, Roger!” rings out around the O2 - as the lights dim, there is a video montage of tributes and highlights.

There are special scenes as Federer hugs every member of Team Europe, then Team World, and then thanks Nadal, Djokovic and Murray all out on court.

No one has left the O2 as tennis comes together to thank Roger Federer.

It will be Federer to serve... It’s wide and long... Tiafoe then moves in on the backhand and Federer nets! Incredible drama! We’re level at 9-9!

Wow - Nadal ducks out the way as Tiafoe cracks a forehand down the line, around the body! Now it’s Team World with match point.

And that’s it! Sock exchanges crosscourt forehands with Federer, before finishing with the winner down the line!

Federer’s career ends in defeat, but that will not be the memory of tonight.