
20-time Grand Slam singles-champion Roger Federer has decided to retire from competitive Tennis after the Laver Cup tournament in London later this month. The 41-year-old has struggled with knee problem for the past three years that has restricted him to only three of the 11 Grand Slams appearances since the start of 2020.
The Tennis legend informed about his decision via a social media post stating that his body has started conveying messages to him. My body's message to me lately has been clear. I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years. Now I must recognise when it is time to end my competitive career. The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event," he mentioned in a note posted on his Twitter account.
Notably, the legendary player has been out of action since the quarter-final loss at Wimbledon in 2021 before undergoing another knee surgery last year. Federer's announcement came days after another Tennis legend Serena Williams played her last competitive Tennis match in the recently concluded US Open 2022.
In his note, Federer expressed gratitude for all the love he has received from his fans over the years. "To my Tennis family and beyond, of all the gifts that Tennis has given me over the years, the greatest, without a doubt, has been the people I have met along the way; my friends, my competitors and most of all the fans who give the sport its life," he wrote.
Adding further, Federer informed that the past three years have been challenging for him as he suffered injuries and had to go through surgeries. "I know my body's capacities and limits, it’s a message to me lately. I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt and now I must recognise when it is time to end my competitive career," he concluded.
Soon after Tennis legend made his decision public, social media was flooded with tributes.
Check out reactions:
You changed the game, #RForever. @rogerfederer ❤️ pic.twitter.com/XIyDzCMTuk
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 15, 2022
Congratulations on a brilliant career 🙌 #RogerFederer pic.twitter.com/mG8bHZQwqA
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) September 15, 2022
Take a bow Legend!#RogerFederer pic.twitter.com/yI3hfmmbR9
— DK (@DineshKarthik) September 15, 2022
The greatest there was the greatest there is the greatest there will be🐐#RogerFederer #tennis #retirement #GOAT #Legend pic.twitter.com/2zg1780nlv
— Yagydev Tiwari (@dev_ydt) September 15, 2022
This is what #RogerFederer did over all these years - kept the child in him alive, kept the child in us alive, and all it says to us right now is this... https://t.co/mXug8hYuuE pic.twitter.com/aEetVKVqVm
— Shirshendu Roy (@Shirsh9) September 15, 2022
Grace and elegance personified, the title of GOAT suits you well @rogerfederer. Thank you for all the memories, champ. pic.twitter.com/LuerDLjHbl
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) September 15, 2022
Roger Federer’s #18 is one of the most incredible sporting moments of all time. No debate. pic.twitter.com/Pxt01SU29y
— Rush 🐠 (@drivevolleys) September 15, 2022



