Roger Federer announced his retirement; The 20-time Grand Slam champion will play the Laver Cup as the ultimate tennis event
Roger Federer Retired from professional tennis at the age of 41 after a series of knee surgeries, ending a career in which he won 20 Grand Slam titles, finished five seasons at No. golden raw of men’s tennis against opponents. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
“As many of you know, the past three years have brought me many challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries,” Federer said Thursday in a post on his social media account. “I’ve been working hard to get back to full form. But I also know my body’s capabilities and limitations, and its message to me has been very clear lately.
“I’m 41 years old. I’ve played over 1500 games over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever dreamed of, and now I have to realize that it’s time to end my playing career. mine.”
To my tennis family and beyond,
With love,
Hear pic.twitter.com/1UISwK1NIN– Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 15, 2022
Federer’s 20 Grand Slam titles ranked third of all time among men’s tennis players, behind only his contemporaries Nadal (22) and Djokovic (21).
Federer said he intends to continue playing tennis, “but not at Grand Slams or on tour.” He hasn’t played a single game since reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2021 and announced in mid-August that he had undergone another knee surgery.
But he appeared at an event marking Center Court’s 100th anniversary at the All England Club in July and said he hopes to return to play there “again.” He has also said that he will return to compete at Swiss Indoors in October.
“It’s been a bittersweet decision, because I’m going to miss out on everything the tour has given me,” Federer said. “But at the same time, there’s so much to celebrate. I consider myself one of the luckiest people on Earth. I’ve been blessed with an exceptional talent for playing tennis, and I’ve done it. on a level I never imagined. longer than I ever thought possible.”
Nadal expressed a similar sentiment, tweet“I wish this day would never come,” but also expressed gratitude for the opportunity “to share the years with you, to live so many great moments on and off the field.”
Dear Roger, my friend and rival.
I wish this day would never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.
It’s been fun but it’s also an honor and privilege to share the years with you, living so many great moments on and off the field 🏻– Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) September 15, 2022
We will have many moments to share together in the future, there is still a lot of work to do together, we know that.
For now, I really wish you happiness with your wife, Mirka, children, family and enjoy what lies ahead of you. I’ll see you in London @LaverCup– Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) September 15, 2022
Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray are set to play together for the first time when they compete from 23-25 September as part of Team Europe at the Laver Cup in London. Named after the great Australian Rod Laver, the three-day team event, run by Federer’s management company, pits Europe’s top six players against six players from the rest of the world. gender.
Tony Godsick, Federer’s agent since 2005, told the Associated Press that Federer had problems during his latest recovery from knee surgery.
“A few weeks after Wimbledon, he informed me that his knee wasn’t responding as well as it should and he was thinking about finding a way to end his career,” Godsick said in a phone interview. . “I suggested to him many years ago that he should stop. Not many tennis players at his level enter their 40s. But he was always interested in challenging himself. And in At the end of the day, after more than 1,500 games, the tires are finally exhausted. And he has a lot of work to do in his next phase.”
Federer comes away with 103 tour-level titles on a substantial resume and 1,251 singles wins, both second only to Jimmy Connors in the Open era, which began in 1968. Federer’s records including the oldest #1 in ATP leaderboard history – he returned to the top at number 36 in 2018 – and most consecutive weeks there; his week total has been eclipsed by Djokovic.
The dominance Federer displayed at the height of his power was unmatched, including reaching 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals, winning eight, from 2005 to 2007, a streak that also lasted. to 18 of the 19 major finals in 2010.
In a sport where changes in surfaces and other conditions can thrill even the best players to perform here or in the second week of a Slam, Federer has established 36 consecutive quarter-finals and 23 consecutive semi-finals from 2004 to 2013 .
“Roger Federer is a champion of champions. He has the most complete match of his generation and captures the hearts of sports fans around the world with his incredible agility on the court. and a strong tennis mind,” said Hall of Famer Billie Jean King. “He’s had a historic career with memories that will live on.”
When Federer won his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, Pete Sampras held the men’s title record; The American had won his 14th at the US Open a year earlier in the final match of his career.
Federer will continue to surpass that number, finishing with 20 by winning eight championships at Wimbledon, six at the Australian Open, five at the US Open and one at the French Open. His 2009 title at Roland Garros allowed Federer to complete a career Grand Slam.
All will be remembered in his serves, forehand, forefoot and attacking style. Nor can he forget his matches against younger opponents Nadal, 36, and Djokovic, 35, both evenly matched, the latter surpassing Federer in total Slams and still winning titles at four tournaments. the sport’s biggest competition.
“I have been fortunate to play so many epic matches that I will never forget,” Federer said in Thursday’s announcement. Addressing his “on-court opponents”, although he did not name them, he wrote: “We pushed each other, and together we took tennis to the next level.”
Federer and his wife, Mirka – another tennis player; they met as athletes at an Olympics – had twins.
