Federer said his decision to retire came after he "stopped believing" he could continue playing because of injuries.

The Swiss, 41, has not played since Wimbledon 2021, after which he had a third knee operation.

"The last three years have been tough to say the least," he told BBC Breakfast.

"I knew I was on very thin ice for the last year ever since I played Wimbledon.

"I tried to come back but there was a limit to what I could do. And I stopped believing in it, to be honest."

Speaking in his on-court interview, Alex de Minaur said: "It's amazing. The atmosphere is just second to none. You guys are going for Team Europe but I appreciate it. I just wanted to get a win for my team and I found a way out there today.

"I don't know if there were many tactics out there. I had to be ready for a battle, Andy's a hell of a competitor and he's done so much for the sport.

"That's the beauty of team competition, you get your highest highs and lowest lows and hopefully we can get another win in the doubles."

On Roger Federer's last match: "It's going to be a special match. Hopefully you guys enjoy the show and let's make it an unbelievable atmosphere for Roger one last time."

Well said, Alex.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

My nerves are shot and Federer hasn't even hit a shot yet.

A Murray point is followed by an overplayed shot and it's match point Team World...

De Minaur executes another inch-perfect drop shot and moves 7-5 up.

But another De Minaur mistake lets Murray back in.

Oh no, a failed Murray drop shot swings the momentum back in Team World's favour.

Image source, Getty Images

A De Minaur error gives Murray another glimmer of hope but the two-time Wimbledon champ sends a forehand wide and drops his head in anguish.

Back on serve, Murray goes back to 5-6. Nail-biting stuff.

Kayley Jay: My first memory of Roger? Wimbledon '03 men's singles final... which I predicted he'd lose. Oops. (I was still in primary school at the time). Not going to forget that in a hurry. I have since learnt my lesson: never write Roger off. Ever.

Woah! A big save from Murray at the net gives him a crucial point.

De Minaur sends the Scot hurtling towards another teasing drop shot, though, and it's a well-earned point for the Australian.

Image source, PA Media

Hmmm, De Minaur goes wide with a forehand and that prompts a "come on!" from Murray.

De Minaur goes 4-2 up and Murray goes back to his chair to take on some more fluids.

"You're doing great, all good," says Federer.

The following numbers are a testament to both Federer's brilliance and longevity:

20 - grand slam titles

31 - grand slam finals

23 - consecutive appearances in grand slam semi-finals from 2004 to 2010, an all-time record

36 - consecutive appearances in grand slam quarter-finals 65 - consecutive grand slam appearances from the Australian Open in 2000 to the French Open in 2016

8 - Wimbledon titles, the most of any man

6 - Australian Open wins

5 - US Open titles

1 - French Open triumph

1,251 - career matches won out of 1,526

369 - match wins in grand slams

22 - consecutive appearances at Wimbledon

310 - weeks spent at world number one, 237 of them consecutively

De Minaur, still looking light on his feet, sends a forehand past Murray to take the opening point of the tie-break. The Australian nets to give Murray a point but wins the next two and it's looking good for Team World.

Remember, it's straight to a 10-point tie-break as opposed to a full third set.

Murray gets some much-needed fluids in but it's not doing the trick as De Minaur brings up three set points.

Ace from Murray before moving to 30-40.

But De Minaur reaches Murray's drop shot and takes the second set!

Image source, Getty Images

Murray's racquet clatters against the court as he fails to connect with a well-placed De Minaur shot.

Murray appears to be struggling with his legs at the moment. It's been a draining match, to be fair, and the 35-year-old must dig deep now to deliver a point for Team Europe.

But what's this? A couple of errors from De Minaur gifts Murray his first break point of the set.

Potentially big moment, but Murray turns away in frustration as he nets.

A second break point comes and goes before De Minaur holds. Murray will serve to stay in the second set.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at the O2 Arena

Image source, BBC Sport

Like any 21st Century sporting event worth its salt, the Laver Cup has created a Insta-friendly scene for fans to be snapped in front of.

The sky might have been gloomy earlier on, but eyes were already gleaming for what lies in store tonight.

The Laver Cup is trying to create a fun, family-friendly experience at the O2 Arena in London.

Fans are able to watch the players warm up on the practice courts outside, as well as having a hit themselves on a mini-court and whacking down serves against the speed gun.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

He may look jaded, but Murray is still pulling some shots out of the top drawer as a forehand at full-stretch forces De Minaur to go wide.

And then a superb cross-court passing forehand clinches the game. That's a hold to love for the Scot.

De Minaur races through another service game and still looks remarkably sharp as he closes in on the second set.

Backstage, Roger Federer shares a lengthy hug with long-time coach Severin Luthi.

Nice to see. Now it's time for a few stretches.

"Every point you gotta work, it's gruelling. But he feels it too, he feels it in his legs."

Djokovic to an increasingly tired-looking Murray.