Swiss tennis player Roger Federer announced Thursday his retirement at the age of 41 after winning 20 Grand Slam titles and dominating the sport for two decades in a legendary duel with Spaniard Rafael Nadal for becoming the best player in history.
Federer, who has not competed since the English tournament at Wimbledon in July 2021, has undergone several knee operations.
Swiss Roger Federer at Wimbledon, London, on July 7, 2021. Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP
In a message broadcast on social networks, he explained that, while preparing to recover his level of play, "the capabilities and limitations of his body and its messages have been clear."
“This is a
bittersweet decision,
because I will miss everything he has given me.
But at the same time there is a lot to celebrate”, he assured, “I received a special talent to play tennis, and I did it at a level that I never imagined, for much longer than I thought possible”.
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In his announcement, Federer indicated that next week's Laver Cup will be his last ATP tournament and ruled out returning to the courts for Grand Slam and other ATP Tour events.
Since winning his first tournament at Wimbledon in 2003, Federer has been an undisputed No. 1 in tennis alongside Nadal and Serbian Novak Djokovic.
“
I have played more than 1,500 games for more than 24 years.
Tennis has treated me more generously than I could have ever dreamed of
and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career,” said Federer.
The athlete assured that he will continue holding the racket in the coming years but not in any important competition.
"I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but not at Grand Slams or on tour."
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In a long chapter of thanks, the Swiss refers to his wife Mirka and their children, his parents and sister, his coaches, the Swiss team, his support group and his sponsors, the fans and also his rivals .
“I have been lucky enough to play many epic matches that I will not forget.
We face each other with cleanliness, passion and intensity [...].
We motivate each other and together we take tennis to another level,” added Federer.
“The last 24 years on the circuit have been an incredible adventure [...].
I have been fortunate to play in 40 countries.
I have laughed and cried, I have felt joy and pain, but above all I have felt incredibly alive.
"In closing, to the game of tennis: I love you and I will never abandon you," Federer concluded the statement.
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The Swiss player won, in addition to eight Wimbledon tournaments, the Australian Open six times, the US Open five times and Roland Garros once.
He reached world number one for the first time on February 2, 2004. He retires with 103 titles, a balance of 1,251 wins and 275 losses and official earnings, according to the ATP, of 130.5 million dollars.
With information from AP,
NBC News
and Efe.
