It’s official. Roger Federer is retiring from professional tennis.
Federer made the announcement on Thursday, saying that next week’s Laver Cup in London will be the last event of his illustrious career. The 41-year-old posted a letter and video on his social media channels to inform the tennis world of his decision.
“As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries,” Federer said. “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.
“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.
“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.”
Hopefully, though, it will last just a little bit longer. If his body allows, the 20-time Grand Slam champion will be a playing member of Team Europe in next week’s Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London. A doubles pairing between Federer and Rafael Nadal is highly anticipated.
The Swiss retires with 20 Grand Slam singles titles. He also won Olympic gold in men’s doubles with Stan Wawrinka at the 2008 Beijing Games.
thoughts?
I just wrote about this on the Federer page!!
An amazing, extraordinary talent.
Thank you maestro for all the gifts you have given tennis.
One of the 🐐🐐🐐
I feel sad… That’s all
All I would have changed if it was possible is to advise him to try a body serve in those 2 championship points vs Novak. He deserved that final. Same as Sampras won his last final. Anyway,I am thankful for everything, for tennis.
There is more in life than tennis. I am glad he admits how ‘lucky’ he was and being thankful for his great career and people he met. All the best to everyone.
Eugene I feel sad too.
I agree about that wimby final! Fed should have won that match imo. I said so at the time!
Sad day for tennis😪😪😪
I also think he should have won the USO final when he had match points.
I was hoping that he’d get back for just a couple of competitive tournaments, but alas…
An amazing career which has been a joy to watch over many years. I don’t think there will ever be another one like him.
Sorry Fed fans: Eugene, Al, Benny, Kevin, Thinwhiteduke, Joe.
Your guy is a genius and one of a kind.
🐐🐐🐐
Sad day.
And Scoot of course. I know he is a Fed fan.
Thanks amy
To all Fed fans,
I was sorry to hear about Fed retiring. I have been missing him I never thought I woukd say that, but you realize the void when he’s not there. Fed seems to be in a good place in his life. He made his mark and his achievements speak for themselves.
His place in tennis history as one of the greats is secure. We were fortunate to see him do what he does best.
Yes, agree with all the sad tidings expressed above….a sad day for all Fed fans, but even in these closing remarks, he remains a class act. Thank you all the wonderful memories!
Sad to see Roger passing into legend. Great man, great career! One of the greatest, for sure. He has many great achievements in tennis but maybe his greatest was his mastery…of himself! Naturally emotional, prone to meltdowns, after winning his first championship he took a hard look at himself and decided he wasn’t acting the way a champion should act. He remedied that, and for that, tennis should be forever grateful. He’s been a class act, on and off the court.
Thanks to Fed for his fabulous, unique type of tennis that brought such pleasure, excitement and awe to the tennis court.
And best wishes for the future.
Thank you amy, nny for nice words. He was loved and will be missed on the court.
I remember watching the Davis cup Romania – Switzerland, Pavel – Federer. I was rooting for Pavel, but from that day I began to follow Roger and became his fan.
These guys will have to learn to live without a professional tennis career after they retire. They’ll need new hobbies. I don’t see Fed coaching, but who knows…
Happy Retirement You Legend.
Will always cherish matches between Rafa and Roger.
Cheers to Mr. Federer.
The Fex Express finally comes to a halt.
Thank you for all the happy (and also painful – for a Rafa fan) memories.
His spot is saved among the legends.
I felt very sad reading this news. Goodness, he was Rafa’s chief rival for a long time and somehow, even then, I managed to have huge admiration and respect for this GOAT from Switzerland. I even started liking Federer and was happy for his achievements since 2017-18 period.
The greatest grass court player of all time in my opinion, and arguably the most well-rounded player ever. M
Mr. Roger Federer, you’ve inspired millions and have done so much for the sport I deeply love. Tennis couldn’t have asked for a better ambassador. He was joined by his younger rival to elevate the game to another level on a global scale.
Hope we get to see him around. That forehand, that backhand slice, that serve…been very lucky to see him achieve all that he has.
On a side note, I have got a ticket to the day session for Saturday, Laver cup 😉
and what a tribute from Rafa. From one GOAT to the other.
So long and thanks for the memories, enjoy your retirement Mr Federer, spend your time with your family now, you and your tennis will be sorely missed, Goddess Blessings Roger.
And I fear its so long to the classic tennis game , designed for grass, where such talents as touch and artistry etc etc… just watch him.
Id love to see him win a Wimby doubles title .
Hey folks!!! Glad that Ricky wrote a piece on Roger’s retirement announcement. Yes, it is a sad day. Part of my love for Rafa stems from my annoyance over Roger Federer winning every slam except RG for so many years. I found tennis boring at the time and I was glad when Rafa came along to offered Roger some resistance. But over the years, I grew to appreciate Roger and what he has brought to the game. He was partly responsible for who Rafa and Novak are today because they had to fight hard to improve their games to be able to beat Roger especially Rafa! So over the years, I have warmed up to him very much and even during his recent time off I have missed him, so I was partly disappointment that he retired now, as it seems so anti-climatic! I feel like he should really have gone off in a blaze of glory, like perhaps after winning another Wimby. But c’est lavie!! Nevertheless, I wish him all the best in the future, and I hope even though he has retired, he will still continue to contribute to the sport and we see him commentating and/or blogging.
@ Monalisa: I can relate since my “tennis fan love” over the past years is similar. I was bored to tears with Roger’s utter dominance. For me tennis was my “competition fix” and there was no competition against Roger. I did know vaguely that this Spanish kid was winning RG. I even watched the RG final in 2008, fully expecting Roger to win it and complete his career slam. Then Rafa absolutely crushed him. I was pleased but IT WAS NOT COMPETITION. I decided I’d watch Wimbledon that year. Surely there would be SOME competitive matches there. Was there ever! I was astonished when Rafa won that match. How in the world? So I kept following him hoping to find out. Eventually I did find out – he wrote a book to tell me about it! But by then I’d fall for his charm. And sadly by then I preferred an easy lopsided victory for Rafa to competition.
Covid and lock down restrictions got in his way, as it did for so many players.