Ella Ling holding the iconic photo
British-born photographer Ella Ling clicked the iconic Tennis photograph of the year 2022 – here’s everything you need to know
The ‘Sony ITPA Photo of the Year’ award was given to a touching picture taken by photographer Ella Ling, featuring tennis legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. In the photo, both players are seen shedding tears while holding hands during the Laver Cup event.
This emotional moment captured the rare bond and friendship between these two fierce rivals, who have been dominating the sport of tennis for more than a decade. Ella Ling, a freelance photographer covering the Laver Cup, managed to seize this powerful image, showcasing the deep respect they have for each other. The photo quickly went viral, as it portrayed a side of these iconic athletes rarely witnessed on the tennis court.
Ella Ling, a dedicated photographer hailing from Britain, stands out as one of the most industrious individuals in the tennis media. With a ubiquitous presence at major events and tournaments, she diligently captures moments from all courts and nearly every player in the sport.
On Monday, July 17, Ling expressed her excitement and thankfulness on Twitter, stating that the award-winning image would forever remain etched in her memory. “Very thankful to be awarded with ‘Sony ITPA Photo of the Year’. I think this image is now engraved on my memory forever,” Ling wrote on Twitter. During an interview with CNN the previous year, Ling shared insights into how she managed to capture the poignant moment and the significance it holds. She recounted how her attention was fixed on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as they sat side by side on the bench, surrounded by their teammates, following the conclusion of the last match.
Since their early days, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have maintained a strong and genuine friendship, which endures to this day. Nadal affectionately refers to Federer as ‘Rogelio’ and used to send him congratulatory texts whenever the Swiss maestro secured victories during his illustrious playing career.
Despite their status as tennis legends, they have remained best of friends. In a memorable gesture, Federer opted to conclude his professional career by teaming up with Nadal in the doubles match of the 2022 Laver Cup.
For over a decade, Nadal and Federer reigned as arch-rivals, dominating the tennis circuit. However, their fierce on-court rivalry never affected their deep personal friendship.
In December of the previous year, Federer bid farewell to the sport by retiring, while Nadal finds himself in the twilight of his own illustrious career. Their absence from the on-field competition leaves a void as fans miss the enthralling clashes between these two icons of the sport.
During Federer’s farewell at the Laver Cup 2022, emotions ran high, particularly evident in Nadal’s tearful reaction as Federer delivered his farewell speech on the court.
This raw display of emotion serves as a poignant testament to the immense mutual respect and admiration that these two players hold for each other. Despite their competitive history, their bond remains unshaken, proving that their friendship transcends the boundaries of the game.
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