Sport often fails to deliver the fairytale ending we all want to see. Tonight was a reminder of that.

Roger Federer, who for the last two decades has been synonymous sporting excellence, brought the curtain down on his 24-year career with a doubles defeat alongside long-time adversary Rafael Nadal as the Team Europe duo fell to Team World's Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock.

But let's not kid ourselves: the result is largely irrelevant. If tonight was about celebrating one of the all-time greats (or, for many, the GOAT), then it has to be viewed as a resounding success.

Federer said so himself. "It does feel like a celebration to me. I wanted to feel like this at the end and it is exactly what I hoped for so thank you. It has been a perfect journey and I would do it all over again."

We'd love to do it all over again, too, but at least we'll always have the memories.

Thanks for following the live text tonight. If you're not caught up, Jonathan Jurejko was at the O2 Arena to watch Federer's final act unfold.

Goodnight.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

People inside the world of tennis have been heaping praise on Roger Federer for 20 years now. Now seems a good time to share some great quotes about him:

"If you want to be a tennis player, then mould yourself on Roger Federer. I won three Wimbledon titles and I wish I could play like him" - John McEnroe

"The best way to beat him would be to hit him over the head with a racket" - Rod Laver

"In the modern game, you're a clay court specialist, a grass court specialist or a hard court specialist...or you're Roger Federer" - Jimmy Connors

"He's a real person. He's not an enigma. Off the court he's not trying to be somebody. If you met him at McDonald's and you didn't know who he was, you would have no idea that he's one of the best athletes in the world" - Andy Roddick

"Roger can produce tennis shots that should be declared illegal" - Tracy Austin

"If he's playing very good, I have to play unbelievable. If not, it's impossible. When he's 100%, he's playing in another league. It's impossible to stop him" - Rafael Nadal

"I don't think you can always, or you can ever, get your game to perfection. Only if you are Federer" - Novak Djokovic

Matthew Vernon: Who else could reduce their greatest rival to tears the way Roger has Rafa. Such respect and love between the two of them, proof rivalry doesn't have to be toxic, it can lead to excellence. We will miss them both so much and have been so lucky to witness their battles.

Abid: What a legend. Even Rafa is crying! Tennis won't be the same.

There's Rod Laver, offering Federer a big handshake and some sage words of advice.

And now it's time for hugs from the kids.

"I'm happy, I'm not sad."

Mum and dad come over for a hug, too, with Ellie Goulding belting out 'Burn' in the background.

Mirka has come down from the crowd and gives her husband a big hug.

A special moment for them.

Damn.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, PA Media

Federer, on the support of his family: "Everyone's here, the boys and girls. My wife has been so supportive. She could have stopped me a long, long time ago but she didn't. She kept me going and allowed me to play, so it's amazing - thank you.

"It's funny, we always blame my mum for everything because without her I wouldn't be here of course. Thanks to my parents, they've been amazing.

"Just everybody, there are too many people to thank. It's been incredible."

Image source, Getty Images

And now, Ellie Goulding is going to sing a song.

More Federer quotes to come...

Barely a dry eye in the house, folks. Nadal wells up as he claps his great friend and rival.

Asked about his family, Federer says, "do we have to go there?" as he tries to keep it together.

Roger Federer, on the last day of his tennis career: "We'll get through this somehow. It's been a wonderful day. I told the guys I'm happy, not sad. It feels great to be here. I enjoyed tying my shoelaces one more, every thing was the last time.

"I didn't feel the stress so much even though I thought maybe something was going to go, like a calf, but the match was great.

"Playing with Rafa and having all the greats here, all the legends, thank you."

Federer wipes away a few tears as he watches a video recapping his career on the big screen.

Image source, PA Media

We're going to hear from the man himself soon.

But first, a tear-jerker of a video to watch.

Andrew Priestley: Farewell to not only a tennis great, but a sporting icon. Many will have their own opinions, but in mine, he is the greatest. The catalyst for the greatest era in tennis history, Roger Federer will be sorely missed on the courts of the world.

The end of an era. The end of an incredible career.

Federer returns to the court and salutes the crowd.

It's not the ending he wanted, but what a send-off this is. The atmosphere out there has been electric.

Federer goes across and embraces his team-mates.

He's in tears now.

He's not the only one choking up right now...

Frances Tiafoe hammers a forehand past Rafa Nadal and it's match point for Team World...