Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer, who has won 20 Grand Slam titles in his career and is the reigning champion of this year’s Laver Cup tournament has announced that he will retire after playing in the same event in London next week. The eight-time Wimbledon champion, regarded as one of the best athletes of all time, will put an end to his 24-year-career following his battles with a knee problem.
“As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries,” the 41-year-old said in a video posted in his social media. “I’ve 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.” He is one of the, if not the best tennis players to have played in the past 3 decades.
Federer was plagued by knee problems that kept him out of action since a quarterfinal loss at Wimbledon in 2021. “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 recognize when it is time to end my competitive career.” He underwent several knee surgeries, including three in just 18 months.
For the first time since 2000, he dropped out of the top 50 in world rankings earlier this summer and was completely out of the ATP singles rankings for the first time since his debut in 1997, owing to knee injuries. His last Grand Slam title came at the 2018 Australian Open, while his last competitive match was a quarter-final defeat against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz at the 2021 Wimbledon.
During his prime, Federer surpassed Pete Sampras’ record with his 15th major championship in 2009, which included five U.S. Open titles, six Australian crowns and a single French Open. He held the No. 1 ranking for 237 consecutive weeks, from February 2, 2004 to August 17, 2008—the longest streak in history—and was still ranked No. 1 at age of 36 in June 2018, the oldest man to hold that ranking.
“When my love of tennis started, I was a ball kid in my hometown of Basel,” Federer said. “I used to watch the players with a sense of wonder. They were like giants to me and I began to dream. My dreams led me to work harder and I started to believe in myself. Some success brought me confidence and I was on my way to the most amazing journey that has led to this day,” Federer said.
The Swiss icon bagged a total of 103 titles on tour–second to Jimmy Connors–one Olympic doubles gold medal for Switzerland and 20 Grand Slam singles titles trail only Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who own 21 and 22 titles, respectively. “Finally, to the game of tennis: I love you and will never leave you.” The Laver Cup, Federe’s final act as professional player, will begin on September 23.
Earlier, women tennis legend Serena Williams also announced her retirement in an article. “I have never liked the word ‘retirement,‘’ Williams wrote. “Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is ‘evolution.’ I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.” Williamshas 73 career singles titles and 23 career doubles titles.
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