A few weeks after Serena Williams, Roger Federer announced his retirement from professional tennis. The Swiss legend, who holds 20 Grand Slam titles, announced to them that next week’s Laver Cup would be the last professional tournament he would compete in.
Federer has suffered numerous injuries in recent years that have kept him out of competition. As he announced, “Over the past three years, I have had many injuries and surgeries. He worked hard to be ready to return. But I know my body and its message has been clear lately.”
“I’m 41. I’ve played over 1,500 matches in 24 years. Tennis has been more generous to me than I could have imagined, and now it’s time to know when it’s time to end my professional career. Next week’s Laver Cup will be my last ATP tournament. I will play more tennis in the future, just not at Grand Slams or on tour,” the Swiss added.
Federer has won a total of 20 major tournaments and is third on the respective list behind Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic. In total, he won Wimbledon eight times as a multiple winner of this tournament, six times the Australian Open, five times the US Open and once Roland Garros.
The Swiss won his first Grand Slam tournament in 2003 at the age of 22. He climbed to number one in the world rankings for the first time in 2004 at the age of 23. He stayed at the top for 310 weeks, 237 of which were streaks. The Swiss has 103 career titles and is second on the list behind Jimmy Connors.
“It’s a bittersweet decision because I’m going to miss everything the tour gave me. But at the same time there is something to celebrate. I consider myself one of the happiest people on earth. I was given the talent to play tennis, and I did it at a level and for a period of time that I could not even dream of, ”Federer said in his farewell message.
Roger Federer thanked his wife Mirka, with whom he has been with throughout his professional career. The Swiss also mentioned his children, parents and sister. He also thanked all the coaches he has worked with in his career, as well as the Swiss Tennis Federation.
“When my love of tennis was born, I was a ball boy in my native Basel. I used to look at the players with admiration. In my eyes they looked like giants and I began to dream. My dreams made me work harder and then I believed in myself. A few successes gave me confidence and led me on the most incredible journey that continues to this day. I want to thank from the bottom of my heart all the people around the world who helped make the dreams of the little Swiss come true,” said Roger Federer.
“Finally, to tennis: I love you and will never leave you,” concluded the Swiss legend.
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 15, 2022
Source: Kathimerini
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