Roger Federer, who has won 20 Grand Slams, has announced that the 2022 Laver Cup will be his last ATP tournament.
Roger Federer, who has won 20 Grand Slams, has announced that the 2022 Laver Cup will be his last ATP tournament.
Roger Federer, regarded as the greatest male player to ever run a tennis racket and who took the sport to new levels during a career spanning more than two decades, will retire after retirement. Laver Cup in London next week,
The 41-year-old, who won 20 Grand Slam singles titles and redefined a sport with his artistry and grace, broke the news to tennis fans around the world in a lengthy statement on Thursday.
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Knee injury means he hasn’t played the match Since losing last year’s WimbledonAlthough many still hoped that he might return for one last golden farewell.
But he said his age had finally caught up to him.
“As many of you know, the past three years have given me challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries,” Federer said in an 845-word statement posted on social media.
“I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body’s capabilities and limits, and the message of that has only recently become clear to me. I’m 41.
“I’ve played over 1,500 matches in 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than ever, and now I have to recognize when it’s time to end my competitive career. Laver Cup next week in London I will have a final. ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future, definitely, but not on a Grand Slam or a tour.”
The possible end of Serena Williams’ tennis career and Federer’s announcement after an emotional exit from the US Open earlier this month left the sport staring at the beginning of the end of its golden era, a dangerous prospect for fans. Is.
Federer, who dominated men’s tennis for several years after winning his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003 and having an exciting rivalry with Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic, has been plagued by injuries in recent years.
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He has had three knee operations in the past two years and his last competitive match was a quarter-final loss against Poland’s Hubert Herkaz at the 2021 Wimbledon.
Federer offered some hope to his fans when he said he planned to return to the tour together with longtime rival and friend Nadal to play doubles at the Laver Cup in London next week.
He had also planned to play in the Swiss Indoor Tournament at home in Basel.
But he would sign in London, the city where his unique ability to strike the tennis ball first attracted the world of tennis and beyond.
“I wish this day never comes. This is a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world,” Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, wrote on Twitter.
“It’s a pleasure and an honor and a privilege to share all these years with you, having lived so many wonderful moments on and off the court.
“We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still many things to do… For now, I really wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your children, your family.” And enjoy the next. Of you. I’ll see you in London.”
‘Special talent’
Federer, who has two twins with wife Mirka, said his decision to retire was bitter, as he would miss what the tour had given him.
“But at the same time, there’s a lot to celebrate. I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world,” Federer said.
“I was given a special talent to play tennis, and I did it on a level I never imagined, for much longer than I ever imagined.”
Federer was always regarded as a prodigiously talented youngster who first picked up a racket in Basel and won the Wimbledon junior title in 1998.
Three years later, he defeated American great Pete Sampras en route to the quarter-finals at the All England Club, and his success was short-lived.
In 2003, he overtook Mark Philippoussis on Wimbledon’s center court to begin a Grand Slam collection that many views would never match, although he is now the men’s all-time champion behind Nadal (22) and Djokovic (21). Ranks third on the list.
Federer claimed seven more Wimbledon titles, five US Open titles, six Australian crowns and one French Open achieved in 2009, completing his career slam.
He also holds the record as world number one for 237 consecutive weeks and the only miss from his illustrious CV is the Olympic singles gold medal, having lost to Andy Murray in the 2012 final, although he won doubles in 2008.
crossed game
Federer finished with 103 career titles, second only to Jimmy Connors, reached 157 finals and piled up a head-spinning array of records along the way.
However, statistics cannot do justice to the player who has traversed the game world.
Tributes have been pouring in since Federer’s announcement.
The men’s ATP posted on Twitter “You changed the game #RForever”, while women’s great Billie Jean King described them as the “Champion of Champions”.
“He has the most complete game of his generation and has captured the hearts of sports fans around the world with his amazingly sharp and powerful tennis mind on the court,” the American said.
Wimbledon, where Federer has a record eight titles, summed up the sentiment perfectly.
“where do we begin?” It said on its Twitter account. “It is a privilege to witness your journey and see you become a champion in every sense of the word.
“We will miss seeing you grace our courts, but for now all we can say is thank you for the memories and joy you have brought to many.”