Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer announced his upcoming retirement Thursday, saying that next week’s Laver Cup will be his final ATP event.
To my tennis family and beyond,
With Love,
Roger pic.twitter.com/1UISwK1NIN— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 15, 2022
“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, 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,” Federer said. “Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt and now I must recognise when it’s time to end my competitive career.
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 15, 2022
“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.”
A career like no other spanning four decades…
Here's the @rogerfederer story ☺️#RForever pic.twitter.com/3miMx7zAZR
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 15, 2022
The Laver Cup is a men’s tennis tournament that is contested between teams from Europe and the rest of the world. The fifth edition of the Laver Cup will be played on the indoor hard courts at The O2 Arena in London from 23 September to 25 September, and it’s safe to say that irrespective of whoever wins, Federer will be the biggest box-office attraction at the tournament.
“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,” Federer added.
The Swiss legend held World No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for 310 weeks, second-most since 1973 behind only Novak Djokovic. However, Federer held top spot for a record 237 consecutive weeks from 2 February 2004 until 18 August 2008.
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Relive all *103* of @rogerfederer's singles titles#RForever pic.twitter.com/bYmB8f0XaZ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 15, 2022
More @RogerFederer…
103 titles – 2nd in Open Era to @JimmyConnors' 109
1,251 wins – 2nd in Open Era to Connors' 1,274
65 straight wins on grass (2003-08)
41 straight wins (2006-07)
24-final win streak (2003-05)
24 straight wins vs. Top 10 (2003-05)
17 straight finals (2005-06)— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) September 15, 2022
At Roland Garros in 2009, Federer completed the Career Grand Slam and at Wimbledon one month later, he broke Pete Sampras’ all-time men’s singles record by lifting his 15th major trophy. He went on to claim 20 Grand Slam trophies, which now only trails Rafael Nadal (22) and Djokovic (21). The Swiss earned six Australian Open triumphs, the 2009 Roland Garros title, eight Wimbledon trophies and five consecutive US Open victories (2004-08).
Federer earned 1,251 tour-level wins during his illustrious career, the second-most victories on record behind only Jimmy Connors’ 1,274. The Swiss also claimed 103 tour-level trophies, only trailing Connors’ 109.
🕰 24 years.
🎾 1526 singles matches.
🎉 1,251 wins.
🥇 310 weeks as No. 1.
🏆 103 titles.
2️⃣0️⃣ Grand Slams.
💪 0 match retirements.Roger. Federer.@rogerfederer | #RForever pic.twitter.com/fJsAafHVCi
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 15, 2022
The Basel native claimed a record six titles, 59 wins and 18 qualifications at the Nitto ATP Finals. He also excelled at the ATP Masters 1000 events, where he won 28 titles.
"To the game of tennis, I love you."
Roger Federer has announced his retirement.
His last appearance on Wimbledon Centre Court showed just how much tennis loves him. pic.twitter.com/vVmIxvaliK
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 15, 2022
Federer is also the winner of a record 40 ATP Tour Awards: ATP Tour No. 1 (2004-07, 2009), Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of Year (2006, 2013), Comeback Player of the Year (2017), Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship (2004-09, 2011-17) and Fans’ Favourite (2003-21). He is also the most-decorated athlete in the history of the Laureus World Sports Awards, winning Sportsman of the Year five times (2005-08, 2018) and Comeback of the Year in 2018.
When the dream came true 🏆@rogerfederer | #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/hd6IUZN5wH
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) September 15, 2022
The Swiss climbed to the top of the sport for the first time aged 22, reaching World No. 1 on 2 February 2004. From there, he enjoyed a peerless reign. From 2004-06, he tallied an astonishing 247-15 record, a winning percentage of more than 94 per cent.
During that stretch, he lifted 34 tour-level trophies. From 2003-05, Federer won 24 straight matches against Top 10 opponents.
Nadal and Djokovic then joined Federer at the top of the sport, creating the ‘Big Three’, an unprecedented era in tennis.
In recent years, Federer showed great resilience and determination. After undergoing knee surgery in 2016, he returned in 2017 to play some of the best tennis of his career. As the 17th seed at the 2017 Australian Open, he won his 18th Grand Slam title and his first since Wimbledon in 2012. Later that year, he also triumphed at The Championships for the record eighth time. In 2018, he claimed his final major title in Melbourne.
Federer became the oldest World No. 1 in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on 19 February 2018 at age 36. The Swiss never retired from a match.
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