Roger Federer has announced that he will retire from tennis after the Laver Cup tournament later this month.
The sports star, who spent 24 years as one of the most prolific tennis players, shared the news through his social networks overnight. In the post, Federer cites the injuries he has suffered in the last three years as the reason for his retirement, writing that while he is “worked hard to get back to full competitive form,“is still aware of his”capabilities and limits of the body.”
“[The] The message to me lately has been clear,Federer said:I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1500 games in 24 years… I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career.The athlete thanked the tennis world for treating him.”more generously than [he] I would have ever dreamedbefore assuring fans that he would continue to play non-Grand Slam and non-tour matches.
Federer, who made his court debut in 1998, has long been regarded as one of the tennis greats. The Swiss player comprises a third of the sport’s trio of stars, along with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, and has held the game’s number one spot for a record 237 consecutive weeks. Federer’s storied career also includes multiple wins at Wimbledon, the Australian Open, Grand Slam and Olympic medals.
Roger,
Where do we start?
It has been a privilege to witness your journey and watch you become a champion in every sense of the word.
We will sorely miss seeing you gracing our courts, but all we can say for now is thank you, for the memories and joy you have brought to so many. pic.twitter.com/VDWylKvW86
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) September 15, 2022
Federer’s final match will take place next week at the Laver Cup in London, where he will play alongside legends Djokovic, Nadal and Andy Murray. Named after Australian tennis player Rod Laver, the tournament pits six of Europe’s top tennis players against competitors from around the world and runs for six days starting on September 23.
Federer’s retirement comes weeks after tennis legend Serena Williams also said goodbye to the sport. Williams, who spent 27 years on the court, played her last match at the US Open tournament last week and hung up her racket to expand her family. Meanwhile, earlier in the year, Australian tennis star Ash Barty also called it quits at just 25 years old, saying that “Now is the time to walk away and pursue other dreams.”
