Roger Federer

Roger Federer’s tearful goodbye to tennis at 41

Roger Federer officially announced his retirement from tennis on September 15 and mentioned he would play his last match in the Laver Cup. Roger paired up with Rafael Nadal on September 23 to compete in his final match in London's O2 Arena. The world watched Federer and Nadal participate in a professional tennis match for the final time, but not as rivals but as partners. Overall, it was an emotional event, despite the fact that they were defeated by the Jack Sock-Frances Tiafoe team by scores of 6-4, 6-7, and 9-11. Also read: 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer announces retirement from pro tennis When the 41-year-old left the court for the final time, he was greeted with a standing ovation. The Swiss master was fortunate to say goodbye to his 24-year professional career in front of some of his competitors. Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic's presence was undoubtedly particularly significant to him, with whom he had many wonderful experiences. Roger Federer is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all-time if not the best broke down in tears after playing his final tennis match on Friday. Nadal also lost control of his emotions and started crying during Federer's speech. Thousands of supporters yelled his name before Roger hugged the presence of the tennis players on the court at the O2 Arena in London. "It's been a wonderful day. I told the guys, 'I'm happy. I'm not sad.' Roger Federer said in a post-match speech. "It feels great to be here and I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time. Everything was the last time." He said this while starting his farewell remarks. Also read: Roger Federer pulls out of French Open before 4th round Roger Federer turned pro in 1998 and won 103 career titles, including 20 Grand Slam singles. He was the No. 1 tennis player for 310 weeks, including a record 237 straight weeks. Federer also ended the year as the No. 1 player five times.

2 years ago

20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer announces retirement from pro tennis

Roger Federer is retiring from professional tennis at age 41 after a series of knee operations, closing a career in which he won 20 Grand Slam titles, finished five seasons ranked No. 1 and helped create a golden era of men’s tennis with rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Federer posted what he called a “bittersweet decision” via social media on Thursday, less than a week after 23-time major champion Serena Williams played what is expected to the last match of her career. Combined, the exits by two of the greatest athletes in their sport’s history represent a significant turning of the page. “As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form,” Federer wrote on Twitter. “But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear.” Federer has not competed since Wimbledon in July 2021, and so, in that sense, his news is not all that surprising. But he had appeared at an event marking the 100-year anniversary of Centre Court at the All England Club this July and said he hoped to come back to play there “one more time.” He also had 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. That is a team event run by his management company. Federer is married and he and his wife, Mirka — a tennis player, too; they met as athletes at an Olympics — have two sets of twins. Read: Federer stunned by 55th-ranked Millman in US Open 4th Round He leaves with a total of 103 tour-level titles on his substantial resume and 1,251 wins in singles matches, both second only to Jimmy Connors in the Open era, which began in 1968. Federer’s records include being the oldest No. 1 in ATP rankings history — he returned to the top spot at 36 in 2018 — and most consecutive weeks there (his total weeks mark was eclipsed by Djokovic). When Federer won his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, the men’s record for most was held by Pete Sampras, who had won his 14th at the U.S. Open the year before in what turned out to be the last match of the American’s career. Federer would go on to blow way past that, ending up with 20 by winning eight championships at Wimbledon, six at the Australian Open, five at the U.S. Open and one at the French Open. His 2009 trophy at Roland Garros allowed Federer to complete a career Grand Slam. His serving, forehand, footwork and attacking style will all be remembered. Also unforgettable were his matches against younger rivals Nadal, 36, and Djokovic, 35, who both equalled, then surpassed, Federer’s Slam total and are still winning titles at the sport’s four biggest tournaments. Nadal now leads the count 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. Also read: Federer marks 100th match on Rod Laver Arena with 3-set win Addressing his “competitors on the court” — although not by name — he wrote: “We pushed each other, and together we took tennis to new levels.” Federer’s last match anywhere came on July 7, 2021, when he lost at Centre Court in the Wimbledon quarterfinals to Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0. Soon after, Federer had surgery to repair damage to his meniscus and cartilage in his right knee — his third operation on that knee in a span of 1 1/2 years. “Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt,” Federer said Thursday, “and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career.”

2 years ago