Roger Federer, considered by many to be the greatest tennis player and who has taken the sport to new heights during his career spanning more than two decades, has announced his retirement after next week’s match. Cup in London.
The 41-year-old, who has won 20 singles titles at the Grand Slam and has redefined the sport with his technical prowess and agility, spread the news that feared tennis fans around the world in a lengthy statement on Thursday, Reuters reported.
A knee injury means he hasn’t played a game since losing at Wimbledon last year although many still believe he could return for one last golden farewell.
But he said his age had finally caught up with him.
“As many of you know, the past three years have faced me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries,” Federer said in an emotional statement posted on Instagram.
“I’ve worked hard to get back to a full competitive level. But I also know my body’s capabilities and limitations, and lately her message to me has been clear. I’m 41.”
“I’ve played over 1,500 matches in 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I could have ever dreamed of, and now I must realize the time is right to end my competitive career. Next week’s Laver Cup in London will be the final for me. The ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but not only in the Grand Slam or on the Tour.”
Federer, who dominated men’s tennis for several years after winning his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, has been plagued by injury problems in recent years.
He underwent three knee surgeries in the past two years, and his last official match was he lost in the quarter-finals to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon 2021.
Federer had given his fans some hope when he said he planned to return to the Tour after teaming up with long-time rival and friend Rafa Nadal to play doubles at the Laver Cup in London next week.
He had also planned to play in the Swiss Indoor Championships at home in Basel.
“This is a bittersweet decision, because I will miss everything the tour gave me,” added Federer, who has twins with his wife Mirka.
“But at the same time, there is so much to celebrate. I consider myself one of the luckiest people on earth.
“I’ve been given a special talent to play tennis, and I’ve done it at a level I would never have imagined, for much longer than I thought possible.”
Federer first made notice of his own talent when he defeated American great Pete Sampras on his way to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2001.
Two years later, he beat Mark Philippoussis at Wimbledon Central to start his group at the Grand Slam.
Federer went on to win another seven Wimbledon titles, taking five US Opens, six Australian titles and one French championship in 2009 to complete his four-slam career.
He also holds the record for 237 consecutive weeks as the world number one and the only omission from his illustrious resume is the Olympic singles gold medal, where he lost to Andy Murray in the 2012 final.
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