LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Roger Federer promised his fans they had not seen the last of him after bringing the curtain down on his glittering career, saying he would see them on a "different type of tennis court" in the future.

The Swiss 20-time Grand Slam champion and Rafael Nadal lost their Laver Cup doubles match 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 11-9 to Team World's Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock.

The defeat for Europe left the two teams locked at two points apiece after the first day of the Ryder Cup-style event at London's O2 arena.

But the match itself was ultimately a sideshow on an emotional occasion for the 41-year-old, who made a lengthy and tearful address to the crowd, his rivals and family afterwards.

"This is not the end-end, you know, life goes on," he told a post-match press conference in the early hours of Saturday, having recovered the poise that was the hallmark of his career.

"I'm healthy, I'm happy, everything's great."

"The message from me was just making sure I relay my passion for the sport to the fans, and I let them know that hopefully we'll see each other again on a different type of tennis court somewhere around the world," he added.

"I have no plans whatsoever, where, how, when. All I know, I would love to go and play places I have never played before or go say thank yous for years to come to all the people that have been so supportive of me."