Roger Federer Has Announced His Retirement From Tennis

Wimbledon and Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has announced that he will be retiring from playing tennis professionally. The Swiss athlete has long been considered one of the "Big Three" of professional tennis in the male category, alongside Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. This news comes just a month after tennis legend Serena Williams revealed that she is stepping away from the sport and "evolving" her career in a different direction.

"Of all the gifts that tennis has given me over the years, the greatest without a doubt has been the people I've met along the way," Federer said in a moving statement that he shared to social media. "My friends, my competitors, and most of all the fans who give the sport its life."

Federer was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open in 2021 due to a knee injury, and has undergone several surgeries as well as rehab in an attempt to bounce back, although a full recovery has proven more difficult than he first anticipated.

"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," he said. "I am 41 years old, I have played more than 1,500 matches over 21 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career."

He confirmed that the Laver Cup in London next week will be his final ATP event. Federer will continue to play tennis in some capacity in the future, however, he will no longer participate in Grand Slams or the ATP Tour.

"This is a bittersweet decision, because I will miss everything the tour has given me," he said. "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 thanked his team, his sponsors, and his fans for their enduring support throughout his career, along with his wife Mirka and four children. "Seeing my family cheering me on from the stands is a feeling I will cherish forever," he said, before concluding: "Finally, to the game of tennis: I love you, and I will never leave you."

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