By Nicole Lyn Pesce
The Laver Cup shall be Roger Federer’s farewell occasion. “I am 41, I’ve performed over 1,500 video games in 24 years,” he wrote.
One other legend leaves skilled tennis.
Roger Federer, 41, who gained 20 Grand Slam titles, completed 5 seasons ranked No. 1 on this planet and led a golden period in males’s tennis alongside rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, has introduced he’s stepping down skilled tennis.
“I am 41, I’ve performed over 1,500 matches in 24 years, and tennis has handled me extra generously than I ever dreamed of,” he mentioned in a video shared on his Twitter and Instagram accounts. He additionally posted screenshots of his farewell letter on Twitter.
“Whereas typically it felt prefer it occurred in 24 hours, it was additionally so profound and magical that it appears like I’ve already lived a lifetime,” he added. .
Federer admitted to feeling his age these days, particularly after the final three years which noticed him endure varied accidents and surgical procedures. And he referred to as his choice to step away from the skilled recreation “bittersweet”.
“I’ve labored arduous to get again to full aggressive type. However I additionally know my physique’s capabilities and limitations, and its message to me these days has been clear,” he mentioned. “Tennis has handled me extra generously than I ever dreamed of, and now I’ve to acknowledge when it is time to finish my aggressive profession.”
If this sounds acquainted, fellow tennis GOAT (biggest of all time) Serena Williams additionally lately introduced her retirement (the truth is, she prefers the phrase “evolution”) from enjoying tennis professionally to concentrate on progress of his household and enterprise capital agency, as an alternative. “There is no such thing as a happiness on this topic for me,” she wrote in her cowl story for Vogue’s September concern, including, “It is the toughest factor I can think about. ”
And certainly, ‘Roger Federer’ and ‘Serena’ have been trending on Twitter the day the retirement was introduced as tennis followers mourned the lack of two of the game’s biggest gamers.
Federer thanked his spouse, Mirka – one other tennis participant – and their 4 kids (two units of twins) for his or her help. “Seeing my household cheering me on from the stands is a sense I’ll ceaselessly cherish,” he mentioned.
And he additionally thanked his followers, sponsors and opponents for filling his profession with vitality. “The inspiring feeling of strolling via packed stadiums and arenas has been one of many nice thrills of my life,” he mentioned. “With out you, these successes would have felt lonely, reasonably than crammed with pleasure and power.”
He walks away with a complete of 103 titles at tour stage and 1,251 wins in singles matches. And Federer has gained 20 Grand Slam titles, together with: eight championships at Wimbledon, six on the Australian Open, 5 on the US Open and one on the French Open. His 2009 trophy at Roland Garros allowed Federer to finish a profession Grand Slam.
Federer hasn’t competed since Wimbledon in July 2021, so some followers might have seen that coming. In Thursday’s announcement, Federer mentioned his farewell occasion could be the Laver Cup in London subsequent week, which is a group occasion hosted by his administration firm.
Learn Federer’s full retirement announcement under:
To my tennis household and past,
Of all of the presents tennis has given me over time, the best, for sure, have been the folks I’ve met alongside the best way: my pals, my opponents and above all of the followers who carry to this sport. . Right now I wish to share some information with you all.
As a lot of you recognize, the previous three years have offered me with challenges within the type of accidents and surgical procedures. I labored arduous to get again to full aggressive type. However I additionally know the capabilities and limitations of my physique, and its message to me these days has been clear. I am 41 years previous. I’ve performed over 1,500 video games in 24 years. Tennis has handled me extra generously than I ever dreamed of, and now I’ve to acknowledge when it is time to finish my aggressive profession.
The Laver Cup subsequent week in London shall be my final ATP occasion. I’ll play extra tennis sooner or later, in fact, however not in Grand Slams or on the circuit.
It is a bittersweet choice, as a result of I’ll miss all the pieces the tour has given me. However on the similar time, there’s a lot to have fun. I take into account myself one of many luckiest folks on Earth. I used to be given a particular expertise for taking part in tennis, and I did it at a stage I by no means imagined, for much longer than I assumed potential.
I particularly wish to thank my superb spouse Mirka, who lived each minute with me. She warmed me up earlier than finals, watched numerous video games although she was over 8 months pregnant, and endured my clumsiness on the street with my group for over 20 years. I additionally wish to thank my 4 great kids for supporting me, at all times desperate to discover new locations and make great reminiscences alongside the best way. Seeing my household cheering me on from the stands is. feeling that I’ll cherish ceaselessly.
I might additionally wish to thank and acknowledge my loving dad and mom and my expensive sister, with out whom nothing could be potential. An enormous thanks to all my former coaches who’ve at all times guided me in the correct course… you could have been great! And to Swiss Tennis, who believed in me as a younger participant and gave me the right begin.
I actually wish to thank and acknowledge my unbelievable group. Ivan, Dani, Roland, and particularly Neve and Pierre, who gave me the most effective recommendation and have been at all times there for me. Additionally Tony, for working my enterprise creatively for over 17 years. You might be all superb and I liked each minute with you.
I want to thank my loyal sponsors, who’re actually like companions for me; and the hard-working groups and tournaments on the ATP Tour, who’ve at all times welcomed us with kindness and hospitality.
I might additionally wish to thank my opponents on the sphere. I had the possibility to play so many epic matches that I’ll always remember. We fought loyally, with ardour and depth, and I at all times did my finest to respect the historical past of the sport. I really feel extraordinarily grateful. We pushed one another and collectively we took tennis to new ranges.
At the start, I’ve to present particular because of my superb followers. You’ll by no means know the way a lot power and conviction you gave me. The inspiring feeling of strolling via packed stadiums and arenas has been one of many nice thrills of my life. With out you, these successes would have appeared lonely, reasonably than crammed with pleasure and power.
The final 24 years of touring have been an unbelievable journey. Despite the fact that I typically really feel prefer it occurred in 24 hours, it was additionally so profound and magical that it appears like I’ve already lived a lifetime. I had the immense probability to play in entrance of you in additional than 40 totally different nations. I laughed and cried, felt pleasure and ache, and above all I felt extremely alive. Throughout my travels I’ve met many great individuals who will stay pals for all times, who’ve at all times made trip of their busy schedules to come back see me play and cheer me on all over the world. Thanks.
When my love for tennis began, I used to be type of on the ball in my hometown of Basel. I used to observe the gamers with a way of surprise. They have been like giants to me and I began dreaming. My desires made me work more durable and I began to imagine in myself. Some successes gave me confidence and I used to be effectively on my technique to essentially the most unbelievable journey thus far.
I might subsequently wish to thanks all from the underside of my coronary heart, to all these all over the world who’ve contributed to creating the desires of a younger Swiss ball come true.
Lastly, to the sport of tennis: I like you and can by no means depart you.
Love, Roger
Related Press reporting contributed to this text.
-Nicole Lyn Pescé
(END) Dow Jones Newswire
09-23-22 1430ET
Copyright (c) 2022 Dow Jones & Firm, Inc.
