LONDON – Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have both confirmed that they will play in the next edition of the Laver Cup.

Federer, who has been sidelined since July with a knee injury, and Nadal, who just won his 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, revealed in a statement that they will represent the European team in London, 23-25 September.

“I’m really looking forward to going back to racing later this year and the Laver Cup is part of my plan,” said Federer, whose management company founded the competition.

Federer added that Nadal sent him a message last year proposing that they play together again in the Laver Cup. They teamed up to win a doubles match in the opening Laver Cup in 2017.

“If we can get back on the floor in doubles, then it would be a really special experience for both of us at this stage of our careers,” said Nadal.

This will be the fifth Laver Cup. Neither Federer nor Nadal participated in the 2021 edition.

Federer, 40, has not played since undergoing surgery on his right knee for the third time in a year and a half, shortly after losing in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon on July 7. He made it clear in November that he did not expect to be able to play at the All England Club this year and it is not yet clear when, or, indeed, he will return to the Grand Slam.

Nadal, Federer and Novak Djokovic were all tied for 20 major titles until Sunday. That was when Nadal took the lead after losing the first two sets to beat Daniil Medvedev in the final in Melbourne Park.