The legendary Roger Federer has announced his retirement – the upcoming Laver Cup tournament will be his last on the ATP Tour.
The legendary Roger Federer last played in the 2021 Wimbledon quarterfinals against Hubert Hurkacz. He suffered an injury to his right knee that required surgery, which was his third in a span of about 18 months.
The last three years have been difficult for the Swiss veteran. He has had to deal with injuries and despite making the best efforts to make a return, Federer’s body has not responded as nicely as he would have liked.
After winning his first major title in 2003 at Wimbledon, he went on to win 6 Australian Opens, 1 French Open, 7 more Wimbledon titles, and 5 US Open titles.
Federer will team up with the likes of Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Casper Ruud, and Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Laver Cup which begins on September 23.
Here’s an excerpt from Roger Federer’s statement on Twitter regarding his retirement:
“To my tennis family and beyond, of all the gifts that tennis has given me over the years, the greatest, without a doubt, has been the people I have met along the way; my friends, my competitors and most of all the fans who give the sport its life. Today, I want to share some news with all of you.
As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I have worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear. I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt and now I must recognise when it is time to end my competitive career.
The Laver Cup next week will be my final ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future of course but just not in grand slams or on the tour. This is a bittersweet decision because I will miss everything the tour has given me. But at the same time, there is so much to celebrate. I consider myself one of the most fortunate people on earth. I was given a special talent to play tennis, and I did it at a level that I never imagined, for much longer than I ever thought possible.”
Twitter reactions from Roger Federer’s fans as well as fellow players
The announcement of Roger Federer’s retirement has shocked the tennis world. Everyone is disappointed to see the illustrious career coming to an end. However, everyone is thanking the legend for giving us 24 years of unforgettable memories.
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