The 41 years old Swiss tennis player Roger Federer has announced his retirement from grand slams and ATP tournaments following the Laver Cup, London 2022. The tennis legend has announced his retirement through a note on Twitter thanking the fans, competitors and family.
The 20-time grand slam champion has played over 1,500 matches over 24 years. Federer finished off his career with 103 career titles, just finished next to former American world No 1 tennis player Jimmy Scott Connors (109 career titles) in the open era.
Among other laurels, Federer won Davis Cup once and thrice Hopman Cup. In Olympics, the swiss star record has been limited to two medals of which his only medal in singles is a silver medal in the 2012 London Olympics.
Federer shared a gold medal with his fellow countrymen Stanislas Wawrinka in Men’s Doubles category at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The Swiss superstar from his social media account stated that the Laver cup starting on September 23 will be his final tournament on tour. Federer was not in great form ever since his last appearance in the quarter-final match in Wimbledon 2021. The Swiss star has undergone three knee surgeries in the last two years.
Two G.O.A.T.S Retire
Two great tennis legends retired within a week has hit the world tennis arena. Serena Williams, 23 glad slam champion announced her retirement from the game earlier this week. Serena took to Instagram to applaud the fellow tennis star and welcomed him to the retirement club.
One of the finest grand slam players in the 21st century, Federer calls it a day and leaves his mark on tennis in grand style. The last 24 years feel like they went by in 24 hours says Roger in his statement. He recalled playing tennis in front of over 40 different countries and expressed he lived full time.
Among his many laurels, Federer completed grand slam once, a record eight times Wimbledon, six times Australian Open, five times US Open and once French Open. He remained World No 1 by the ATP for 310 weeks including 237 consecutive weeks and on five occasions at the Year-end as number one.
Experts from his message on Twitter
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.
I would like to especially thank my amazing wife Mirka who has lived through every minute with me. She warmed me up before finals and watched countless matches even while over 8 months pregnant. And has endured my goofy side on the road with my team for over 20 years. I also want to thank my 4 wonderful children for supporting me, always eager to explore new places and creating wonderful memories along the way and more…..
