Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal produced one of the most iconic photos ever (Picture: Getty)

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were pictured crying and holding hands while Russian player Andrey Rublev made a powerful anti-war statement in two of the most iconic tennis moments of 2022 – but what else did the year bring?

Federer was not the only legend to wave goodbye to the sport as Serena Williams also hung up her racket while Australian bad boy Nick Kyrgios grabbed plenty of headlines for his behaviour at Wimbledon as he finished as a runner-up.

Great Britain’s men made history at the US Open and there was even a protester who ran onto the court and set himself on fire at the Laver Cup in London. Metro.co.uk takes a look at the most unforgettable tennis moments from 2022…

Federer and Nadal cry and hold hands

Is this the most iconic photograph in the history of sports? It’s up there. Two of the greatest tennis players of time. Two of the biggest sporting rivals of all time. Pictured together crying and holding hands at Roger Federer’s last ever match.

The duo have faced each other in some of the biggest tennis matches in history and between them have won an incredible 42 Grand Slam singles titles. It was beautiful that they decided to team up in doubles for Federer’s last dance.

The pair – known collectively as Fedal – have a love and respect for each other that you just don’t see in other sports between two greats. They have been applauded for the gesture as a way of breaking down toxic barriers over masculinity. If it’s okay for these sporting goliaths to cry and hold hands, then it is okay for all men.

Rublev’s powerful anti-war statement

Some say that politics has no place in sport, but the reality is not that simple. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had a huge impact on tennis this year and saw Wimbledon ban both Russian and Belarusian players from competing at SW19.

The decision – which meant top 10 players Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev could not play at the Grand Slam – was a controversial one and split opinion, resulting in the ATP and WTA stripping the Championships of its ranking points.

Russia invaded Ukraine back in February and Moscow-born Rublev responded by writing ‘no war please’ on a camera at the Dubai Tennis Championships in what was easily one of the most iconic moments of 2022. He went on to win the event!

Kyrgios meltdowns at the majors

Love him or hate him, Nick Kyrgios is a player you cannot take your eyes off. He is notorious for his antics on and off court and his run to the Wimbledon final this year – as well as the Championship match itself – was laced with controversy.

The tennis rebel called a line judge a ‘snitch’ and was labelled an ‘evil bully’ by Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Australian also spat towards a spectator, continuously broke the strict dress code and argued with reporters in press conferences.

His defeat to Novak Djokovic in the final produced headlines too as he argued with a ‘drunk’ spectator and had them ejected for having ‘700 drinks’ while he faced jeers for a hitting a controversial underarm serve. Absolute box office!

The year of the protest

A protester was removed after invading the Laver Cup court (Picture: Getty)

One of the most shocking tennis moments of 2022 came at the Laver Cup in London when a climate change protestor burst past security and ran onto the court to set himself on fire. Luckily no-one was harmed and he was removed.

The Wimbledon final was also interrupted by an activist who held up a ‘where is Peng Shuai?’ sign and shouted: ‘Where is Peng Shuai, Chinese tennis star persecuted by the Chinese government, why won’t Wimbledon say something?’

There were further protests at Wimbledon, with a group of women campaigning for the All England Club to relax the dress code for female players amid concerns over periods. Wimbledon have responded and will now allow coloured underwear.

Serena Williams retires… or did she?

Serena Williams is the most decorated female player in the Open Era and is arguably the best player of all time. With her sister Venus, she has created a legacy that will last forever. But sadly, she finally called time on her career.

Serena Williams has retired from tennis but has since hinted at a U-turn (Picture: Getty)

Or did she? Williams was due to hang up her racket after the US Open this year but the 41-year-old 23-time Grand Slam champion has since hinted at a U-turn and even went as far to claim that she is ‘not retired’ at the end of October.

Some have speculated we may see Williams back on a tennis court in 2023 for exhibition matches while others have predicted she will make a full comeback to the WTA Tour. Whatever happens, she will remain an icon of sport and a true GOAT.

Brits make Flushing Meadows history

Great Britain made history at Flushing Meadows in August, with four men reaching the US Open third round for the first time ever.

British No.1 Cameron Norrie – who also reached his debut Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon this year – was joined in round three by veteran Andy Murray, British No.2 Dan Evans and young star Jack Draper.

That achievement broke the previous record of three British players in the third round, which was set in 1968 and repeated again in 2016. The future looks bright!

MORE : Tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios claims he’ll retire if he wins 2023 Australian Open next month

MORE : Andy Murray admits he is just one ‘big injury’ away from tennis retirement

2022 was a HUGE year for tennis!