Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer hangs his racquet after 24 years of playing professional tennis and 20 grand slam titles
Tennis great Roger Federer announced on Thursday, September 15, that he will be retiring from professional tennis at the age of 41 and 20 Grand Slam titles later.
Federer took to Twitter his announcement that read:
“To my tennis family and beyond,
With Love,
Roger”
Attached in his tweet is his official statement about his decision that came just days after fellow tennis great Serene Williams announced her retirement from the sport after finishing the US Open.
“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 1,500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognize when it’s time to end my competitive career,” he said in the statement.
Federer has not played competitively since his quarterfinals loss at Wimbledon in July 2021, after which he underwent his third knee surgery in 18 months.
“The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the tour,” he then added.
Despite not competing for a while, he had appeared at an event marking the 100-year anniversary of Centre Court at the All England Club this July and said he wanted to come back to play there “one more time.”
“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,” Federer said.
“Finally, to the game of tennis: I love you and will never leave you.”
Federer will end his glorious career with 103 titles, second to Jimmy Connors, and have reached 157 finals in a span of over 20 years.
Tags: #tennis, #retirement, #grandslam