Roger Federer retires from professional tennis at the age of 41 after a series of knee operations, ending a career in which he won 20 Grand Slam titles, finished five seasons at the top and helped create an era gold of men’s tennis with his rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Federer released what he called a “bittersweet decision” through both a written statement and an audio clip on Thursday, less than a week after 23-time major champion Serena Williams played the expected let it be the last game of his career.
Combined, the departures of two of the greatest athletes in the history of their sport represent a major page turn.
“As many of you know, the last three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I have worked hard to get back to full competitive shape,” said Federer, who is in Switzerland. “But I also know my body’s capabilities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear.”
— @rogerfederer
Federer hasn’t competed anywhere since Wimbledon in July 2021, so in that regard, his news isn’t all that surprising.
But he had appeared at an event marking 100 years of Center Court at the All England Club this July and said he hoped to play there “one more time”.
He had also said he would return to tournament action in his home country at the Swiss Indoors in October.
In Thursday’s announcement, Federer said his farewell event will be the Laver Cup in London next week. This is a team event run by your management company.
“I knew a few weeks ago that his knee rehab wasn’t going as well as he had hoped. A few weeks after Wimbledon, he informed me that the knee wasn’t responding as well as it should and that he was thinking about figuring out a way to end his career Tony Godsick, Federer’s agent since 2005, said in a telephone interview Thursday.
“Years ago I had suggested to him that he stop. Not many tennis players of his caliber make it to 40. But he was always interested in challenging himself,” Godsick said. “And at the end of the day, after more than 1,500 games, the tires finally wore out. And he has things to do in his next stage.”
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Federer defeated Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 to win his 19th Grand Slam. He also passes Pete Sampras and William Renshaw with his eighth men’s Wimbledon title.
Federer and his wife, Mirka, also a tennis player; they met as athletes in an Olympic Games: they have two sets of twins, 13-year-old girls and 8-year-old boys.
Federer leaves the sport with a total of 103 tour-level titles on his substantial resume and 1,251 singles match victories, both second only to Jimmy Connors in the Open era, which began in 1968. Federer’s records they include being the oldest No. 1 in ATP Rankings history – he returned to the top spot at age 36 in 2018 – and the most consecutive weeks there (his total weeks mark was eclipsed by Djokovic).
The dominance that Federer displayed at the height of his powers is unmatched, including reaching 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals, winning eight, between 2005 and 2007, a streak that also extended to 18 of 19 major finals in 2010 .
In a sport where surface changes and other conditions can make even the best players nervous with a showing here or there in the second week of a Slam, Federer compiled streaks of 36 straight quarterfinals and 23 consecutive semi-finals from 2004 to 2013.
“Roger Federer is a champion’s champion. He has the most complete game of his generation and captured the hearts of sports fans around the world with astonishing speed on the court and a powerful tennis mind.” said Hall of Famer Billie Jean King. “He’s had a storied career with memories that will live on and on.”
(2/2) Congratulations
We wish you the best as your journey continues.
—@BillieJeanKing
When Federer won his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, the male record for most major trophies was held by Pete Sampras, who had won his 14th at the US Open the previous year in which it turned out to be the American’s last match. career
Federer would go on to far surpass that, finishing with 20 by winning eight championships at Wimbledon, six at the Australian Open, five at the US Open and one at the French Open. His 2009 trophy at Roland Garros allowed Federer to complete a career Grand Slam.
Federer leaves the court after a Wimbledon victory in 2021. (Kirsty Wigglesworth/The Associated Press)
His serve, forehand, footwork and attacking style will be remembered. Also unforgettable were his matches against Nadal, 36, and Djokovic, 35, who equaled and then surpassed Federer’s Slam total and continue to win titles at the sport’s four biggest tournaments.
“I wish this day had never come,” Nadal said. “It’s a sad day for me personally and for athletes around the world. I told you when we spoke and now it’s here. It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and a privilege to share all these years with you, experiencing so many incredible moments on and off the court.”
In the future we will have many more moments to share together, there are still many things to do together, we know that.
For now, I wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your children, your family and enjoy what lies ahead. See you in London @LaverCup
—@RafaelNadal
Nadal now leads the men’s major championship tally with 22, one ahead of Djokovic.
“I was lucky enough to play so many epic matches that I will never forget,” Federer said in Thursday’s announcement.
Addressing her “competitors on the court,” though not by name, she wrote, “We pushed each other and together we took tennis to new levels.”
Federer’s last match came on July 7, 2021, when he lost on Center Court in the Wimbledon quarterfinals to Hubert Hurkacz 6–3, 7–6(4), 6–0.
Shortly thereafter, Federer underwent surgery to repair damage to the meniscus and cartilage in his right knee—his third operation on that knee in a period of 1-1/2 years.
“Tennis has treated me more generously than I could have ever dreamed of,” Federer said Thursday, “and now I have to recognize when it’s time to end my competitive career.”