Roger Federer

Swiss tennis great Roger Federer announced his retirement from the sport on Thursday, saying next week's Laver Cup will be his final ATP tournament.

Wish you all the luck in the world for what comes next!" Finally, to the game of tennis: I love you and will never leave you." Roger made us all feel proud and fortunate to be part of the same sport." "He spearheaded an incredible new era of growth and elevated the popularity of our sport. It was an honour to share time/experiences on the most hallowed grounds in our sport. Some success brought me confidence and I was on my way to the most amazing journey that has led to this day. I used to watch the players with a sense of wonder. "Above all I must offer a special thank you to my unbelievable fans. Seeing my family cheering me on from the stands is a feeling I will cherish forever." "As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. "The last 24 years on tour have been an incredible adventure. "The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event.

The 20-time grand-slam champion has been struggling with a knee problem for the last three years and has decided now is the time to step away. Federer will play ...

It’s been a privilege to witness your journey and see you become a champion in every sense of the word. 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: my friends, my competitors, and most of all the fans who give the sport its life. Federer made the announcement via a letter posted on social media, which began: “To my tennis family and beyond.

Swiss tennis great Roger Federer announced his retirement from the sport on Thursday, saying next week's Laver Cup will be his final ATP tournament.

It’s been a privilege to witness your journey and see you become a champion in every sense of the word. 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: my friends, my competitors, and most of all the fans who give the sport its life. Federer made the announcement via a letter posted on social media, which began: “To my tennis family and beyond.

Federer finishes his career with 20 Grand Slam singles titles, third all-time among men behind rivals Rafael Nadal (22) and Novak Djokovic (21), who are still ...

At Beijing 2008, Federer was stunned by American James Blake in the quarters and ended a record 237-week run as world No. Federer did, however, leave with an Olympic gold medal in doubles with Stan Wawrinka. “I was lucky enough to play so many epic matches that I will never forget.” Federer has a special tie with the Olympics. He called his 24 years on tour “an incredible adventure.” “This is a bittersweet decision, because I will miss everything the tour has given me.

Swiss tennis great Roger Federer announced his retirement from the sport on Thursday, saying next week's Laver Cup will be his final ATP tournament.

Finally, to the game of tennis: I love you and will never leave you.” I was given a special talent to play tennis, and I did it at a level I never imagined, for much longer than I ever thought possible.” Between 2004 and 2007, at the height of his powers, he compiled a 247-15 (94%) record and methodically redefined what greatness in the men’s game looked like. They were like giants to me and I began to dream. To many, Federer’s success was even more meaningful for the ease with which he seemed to navigate the sport. He outpaced many of his closest rivals by more than a decade, but now he will finally join them. It’s been a pleasure but also an honour and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court.” “The past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. Federer transcended the sport to become one of the most famous athletes in the world. Throughout his career he unlocked other records that stand as a marker of his consistency and excellence, such as reaching 23 consecutive grand slam semi-finals and 36 consecutive quarter-finals. “The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event. Federer’s management firm, Team8, are founders of the Laver Cup, a Ryder Cup-style event.

At his best, Federer's feet never seemed to touch the court, manoeuvring him effortlessly into position to swat away an impossible winner with the merest ...

Federer had not beaten Nadal at a grand slam in nearly a decade and it appeared the Spaniard had once again worn down his rival when he took a 3-1 lead in the fifth set. He was not finished, winning a record eighth Wimbledon title the same year and then retaining his Melbourne crown in 2018. When back problems contributed to a slump in form in 2013, and the end of his astonishing run of 36 straight grand slam quarter-finals, Federer allowed himself to reveal his doubts. Nadal was increasingly affected by injury but now Federer found his path to more slam titles blocked by Djokovic, who beat him to the Wimbledon crown in successive years before winning another final battle at the US Open. He recruited childhood hero Stefan Edberg as a coach and volleyed his way back to the Wimbledon final in 2014. He was twice denied a calendar Grand Slam, something achieved in the men’s game by only Rod Laver – twice – and Don Budge, after losing to Rafael Nadal in the final of the French Open. Although he enjoys a good relationship with Nadal that has strengthened throughout the years, the Swiss was never able quite to hide his belief that his game, built on attack and risk, was superior to his rival’s more pragmatic approach. One of his finest moments came in the summer of 2009 when, taking advantage of Nadal’s shock first loss at Roland Garros, he finally lifted the French Open trophy in his fourth final before going on to reclaim the Wimbledon crown. It was a measure of Federer’s talent that, when he won his first grand slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, aged 21, there was a sense of ‘at last’. Every time Federer won, his interpretation of tennis as art seemed to sprinkle a little more stardust on the game. It was not until he saw a psychologist and learned, Bjorn Borg-style, how to find his inner calm that he began to live up to his potential. The Swiss hangs up his racket as not just one of the best but one of the most loved athletes of all time, a sporting god inspiring devotion in millions worldwide.

The Swiss has been unable to recover from knee surgery and next week's Laver Cup will be his final event.

It’s been a privilege to witness your journey and see you become a champion in every sense of the word. Finally, to the game of tennis: I love you and will never leave you.” Some success brought me confidence and I was on my way to the most amazing journey that has led to this day. I used to watch the players with a sense of wonder. “Above all I must offer a special thank you to my unbelievable fans. “As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries.

Roger Federer announced his upcoming retirement on Thursday, bringing near the close of one of the most historic careers in sports history.

[Australian Open](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/australian-open/580/overview), he won his 18th Grand Slam title and his first since [Wimbledon](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/wimbledon/540/overview) in 2012. He went on to claim 20 Grand Slam trophies, which now only trails [Rafael Nadal](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/rafael-nadal/n409/overview) (22) and Djokovic (21). [Laver Cup](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/laver-cup/9210/overview) in London, where fans will have an opportunity to give him the send-off he truly deserves. 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. As the 17th seed at the 2017 He also excelled at the ATP Masters 1000 events, where he won 28 titles. Federer served the sport as president of the ATP Player Council from 2008-14 and later rejoined the council from 2019-22. Beyond the court, he is and will continue to be a true role model and ambassador, always giving so much of himself to the fans. [Andrea Gaudenzi](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/andrea-gaudenzi/g254/overview) said: “Roger’s impact on tennis, and the legacy he’s built, are impossible to overstate. Roger made us all feel proud and fortunate to be part of the same sport. He spearheaded an incredible new era of growth and elevated the popularity of our sport. I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the Tour."

Roger Federer has confirmed that he will officially retire from tennis, with next week's Laver Cup in London set to be his final appearance.

We will miss you." A third said: "Wow. 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."

The tributes poured in quickly on Thursday when Roger Federer announced his retirement from tennis after a career than lasted more than two decades.

“Take a bow Legend!,” he tweeted to his 2m followers, alongside a photo of Federer. I have always held you in the highest regard and want to congratulate you for an amazing career. It’s been a privilege to witness your journey and see you become a champion in every sense of the word. The French and US Opens, as well as the ATP and WTA Tours, posted tributes to Federer. It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court.” “Roger Federer is a champion’s champion,” she wrote on Twitter.

Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles and finished five seasons ranked No. 1.

1 in ATP rankings history — he returned to the top spot at 36 in 2018 — and most consecutive weeks there (his total weeks mark was eclipsed by Djokovic). Open the year before in what turned out to be the last match of the American’s career. His 2009 trophy at Roland Garros allowed Federer to complete a career Grand Slam. He leaves with a total of 103 tour-level titles on his substantial resume and 1,251 wins in singles matches, both second only to Jimmy Connors in the Open era, which began in 1968. “As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. 1 and helped create a golden era of men’s tennis with rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

He did not win the most Grand Slams but watching him play was a different tennis experience.

Nadal was the gritted teeth warrior, guns popping as he crushed a backhand and Federer was the follow through. Sometimes goofy and square, Federer glided around the world with his wife Mirka and two sets of twins. He made many execrable errors but even with those he found a way of pleasing the eye. Looking like he had fallen from the cover of The Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper album, he wore a military inspired uniform with collar turned up and a white army style jacket over a gold lamé accented waistcoat. Permitting yourself to fall under his spell, it was to be drawn into a world of fluent movement and timing. Occupied by nothing but the ball, his eyes set, he appears untroubled and entirely engaged without any hint of effort.

The Swiss champion, whose final pro event will be next week's Laver Cup, has ranked as Forbes' highest-paid tennis player for 17 straight years.

[Michael Jordan](https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2014/06/12/michael-jordan-is-a-billionaire-after-increasing-stake-in-hornets/), [James](https://www.forbes.com/sites/chasewithorn/2022/06/02/lebron-james-is-officially-a-billionaire/) and [Woods](https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattcraig/2022/06/10/tiger-woods-officially-a-billionaire-no-thanks-to-the-saudis/)? “Because the pandemic forced me to be home so much for the last 18 months, I have had the opportunity to work with them much more than in normal times.” [world’s highest-paid athletes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/brettknight/2022/05/11/the-worlds-10-highest-paid-athletes-2022/) even though he won only about $700,000 in prize money during that time. Maria Sharapova, for instance, has continued to promote Nike, Evian and Porsche since leaving the game in 2020. But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear.” When he was healthy, Federer could also command $2 million per event to play in exhibitions and smaller tournaments. Roger Federer [said](https://twitter.com/rogerfederer/status/1570401710685945856) Thursday that next week’s Laver Cup—a team tournament he cofounded in 2017—would be his final professional event. The Swiss ace has collected $131 million in prize money since turning pro in 1998, third in ATP Tour history behind Djokovic’s $159 million and Nadal’s $132 million. It also makes him one of “I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form. He was the world’s highest-paid athlete on the 2020 list with a total of [$106.3 million](https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2020/05/29/roger-federer-on-top-the-swiss-tennis-ace-scores-first-no-1-payday-with-106-million/) and has ranked as the [highest-paid tennis player](https://www.forbes.com/sites/brettknight/2022/08/25/highest-paid-tennis-players-2022-new-generation-taking-over-from-federer-and-serena/) for 17 straight years. Federer has made roughly $1 billion (before taxes and agents’ fees) across his career just from his endorsements and other business endeavors, according to Forbes estimates.

Federer, who won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, said injuries and surgeries had taken their toll on his body. His final competitive matches will be next week ...

He returned in the spring, but after losing at Wimbledon, he ended his season and spent six months strengthening the knee. He won the Australian Open to start the 2004 season, claimed the top spot in the rankings and hit cruising speed. He defeated Andy Roddick, another rising talent from the United States, in the semifinals and Mark Philippoussis of Australia in the final. His first professional breakthrough at Wimbledon came in 2001, when he upset Pete Sampras, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, in the fourth round. Federer, the son of a Swiss father and South African mother, was born in Basel, Switzerland, in 1981. With a vast portfolio of sponsors, he became the first active tennis player to earn more than $1 billion. Over time, he learned to control his frustration and became, with rare exceptions, a model of calm and composure under pressure. Even in the past three seasons, when he played little or not at all, he remained the highest earning tennis player and was the highest earning athlete in 2020, according to Forbes. What I will miss most is the beauty he brought to the game.” Federer, who has fought through years of injuries, was more definitive about his exit, meaning the Big Three of men’s tennis — which includes Federer’s longtime rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic — will soon be down to two. He had some of his greatest triumphs against them but also many of his most deflating setbacks. Federer leaves the game with one of the greatest competitive records in its history: 103 tour singles titles, 20 Grand Slam singles titles, 310 weeks ranked No.

Roger Federer's retirement will auger opportunities for a new generation of players not named Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic.

The rest of the time, he and the others were thwarted, often by one of the big three. Nadal was next, playing professionally since 2001 and winning the first of his 22 majors in 2005. For the first time in 20 years, it seems possible, even with Nadal and Djokovic still standing in the way. For Djokovic, there is the matter of his refusal to be vaccinated for the coronavirus, which prevented him from competing in this year’s Australian Open and U.S. In 2017, the A.T.P. Nadal and Djokovic, on the other hand, remain the agenda setters in men’s tennis. Open, when he was ousted by Tiafoe in the fourth round after he returned from an abdominal strain that forced him out of Wimbledon. Health has long been a nagging issue for Nadal, as it was at the U.S. But on the court, Federer’s retirement does not constitute a sudden change in the landscape. Collectively, the three helped define a transcendent and remarkably durable period in tennis history that also parallels the career of Serena Williams, who announced she was But Federer’s announcement on Thursday reminded the tennis world that the end will eventually come for all three of them, leaving the stage to a host of hungry new players, some of whom have already muscled their way into the breach. Wish you all the luck in the world for what comes next!”

The Swiss player spent a record 237 consecutive weeks at No 1 in the world rankings - 77 weeks longer than the Jimmy Connors streak in the 1970s.

This is an era shaped by Federer since his first Slam success at Wimbledon in 2003 as a 21-year-old. So often, tennis fans grew accustomed to seeing Federer at the top of the world rankings. [Roger ](https://news.sky.com/topic/roger-federer-7929)will be the greatest player of all time," International Tennis Federation President David Haggerty told Sky News.

The Morning Sports Briefing: Keep ahead of the game with 'The Irish Times' sports team.

Stephen Kenny squad’s largely consists of [players rewarded for either form or loyalty](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2022/09/15/republic-of-ireland-squad-formguide-ahead-of-nations-league-window/) ... [writes Irish women’s football is on the path to becoming self-sustainable](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2022/09/16/lisa-fallon-irish-womens-football-is-on-the-path-to-becoming-self-sustainable/). [they were beaten 3-0 by Gent](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2022/09/15/odjidja-ofoe-double-caps-comfortable-gent-win-as-shamrock-rovers-suffer-on-the-road/). Bradley is confident Rovers [can learn quickly from tough European lessons](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2022/09/15/stephen-bradley-confident-shamrock-rovers-can-learn-quickly-from-tough-european-lessons/). [Style with substance, grace with athleticism](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/tennis/2022/09/16/style-with-substance-grace-with-athleticism-roger-federer-had-it-all/), Roger Federer had it all, writes Johnny Watterson. [will call it a day after the Laver Cup later this month](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/tennis/2022/09/15/roger-federer-to-bring-curtain-down-on-stellar-tennis-career-at-41/) at the age of 41 after 20 Grand Slams and a legacy that will last in the sport forever.

The first few names that pop up are Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Michael Phelps, and Serena Williams just to name a few. These athletes have changed how ...

He holds the all-time record for Halle titles with 10 and the all-time record for Wimbledon titles with 8. Federer has announced that will continue playing for the time being, but he will not participate in any Grand Slams or the Tour. Federer will go down as one of the greatest and most accomplished athletes in world history. In that time, recorded the two largest final streaks with 10 consecutive trips and another 8 consecutive trips later. Federer announced on Thursday that he plans on retiring from the game that loves so much. The first few names that pop up are Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Michael Phelps, and Serena Williams just to name a few.

Roger Federer will retire this week at the Laver Cup. He leaves behind a formidable sporting record.

In the pure aesthetics of tennis, Federer arguably eclipsed the master. [Laver Cup](https://lavercup.com/) is a testament to Federer’s unusually intense immersion in tennis history and, ultimately, his own place within it. My initial cynicism was overwhelmed by the astonishing athleticism on display. But longevity is a major aspect of Federer’s status. [Who can break up the 'Big 3' monopoly on men's tennis? But the experience of watching them perform live at the stadium or on screen immediately mutates into nostalgic reflection. Of course, it has not all gone smoothly. [ceremonial media moment](https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Media_Events/MxzQnVZhQE0C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=live+events+broadcasting&printsec=frontcover) of his appearance in the O2 arena in London, this week’s global capital of farewell ceremonies. This is a time of endings. [Queen Serena Williams](https://nypost.com/2022/08/28/all-hail-queen-serena-williams-on-the-verge-of-future-triumphs-in-new-fields/)” from the women’s game and the youth of the singles winners in the 2022 US Open is further evidence that the wheel has, perhaps mercifully, turned in favour of renewal. Federer, who arrived as a [teenage firebrand](https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/The_Master/2N79DwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=federer+biography&printsec=frontcover), admires not just the impressive tennis record but also the demeanour of [Rod Laver](https://www.tennisfame.com/hall-of-famers/inductees/rod-laver). [media spectacle](https://theconversation.com/media-coverage-of-queen-elizabeths-death-began-well-but-quickly-descended-into-farce-190645) surrounding the death of Queen Elizabeth II, “tennis royalty” in the form of Roger Federer will [retire](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-15/roger-federer-announces-retirement-from-tennis/101446316) in the same week and in the same city that she is laid to rest.

The 2003 Wimbledon final marked Federer's first grand slam victory, and the first time he had such a huge audience watching on TV.

Yet again, Federer had the match on his own serve (around the 40 second mark above) but he went for conservative serves that Djokovic brushed off with seeming ease. Then on the second match point, and visibly shaken by what Djokovic had just pulled off on the first match point, Federer bungled a simple forehand into the bottom of the net. Nadal had figured out the formula for beating Federer (high balls to the backhand side) and came into the event with a dominant record against his arch rival. OK, so this wasn’t a truly important match or tournament for Federer (although he did win it). [a heart-wrenching defeat at the hands of Rafael Nadal](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/feb/01/rafael-nadal-roger-federer-australian-open) in the 2009 Australian Open final, was desperate to claim a French title to complete the career grand slam. The Swiss maestro then went on to [demolish surprise finalist Söderling](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jun/07/roger-federer-wins-french-open) in the final to win his only French Open title. [losing to Nadal in five thrilling sets](https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/23977542/roger-federer-rafael-nadal-epic-2008-wimbledon-final), Federer was back in the Wimbledon final and, again, [competing in another epic](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jul/05/roger-federer-wimbledon-final-andy-roddick). Remarkably, just a year after losing two match points in the semi-final to his rival, Federer again found himself up two match points in the same round in New York. His career having been declared unofficially over, after struggling with physical ailments and lackluster performances in the slams, Federer came into the Australian Open with little fanfare. Waving his finger in the air after the match was done, it was obvious to all how much this victory meant to him. In the first-set tiebreaker, with the score knotted at two apiece, Federer displayed all his brilliance in one point: a half-volley from the baseline, wide-angled groundstrokes and a finish with a brilliant forehand down the line. Playing somewhat against the crowd – perhaps for the only time in his career - who were behind the sentimental favorite Agassi, Federer unleashed a ridiculously powerful forehand from well behind the baseline in the early going (around the 28 second mark in the video above).

The Swiss will bid farewell to the sport at next week's Laver Cup in London.

Finally, to the game of tennis: I love you and will never leave you.” “We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still lots of things to do together, we know that. Some success brought me confidence and I was on my way to the most amazing journey that has led to this day. I used to watch the players with a sense of wonder. “Above all I must offer a special thank you to my unbelievable fans. “I consider myself one of the most fortunate people on Earth. 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. Federer made the announcement on Thursday via a letter posted on social media, which began: “To my tennis family and beyond. “The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event. 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: my friends, my competitors, and most of all the fans who give the sport its life. “But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear. You inspired countless millions and millions of people – including me – and we will never forget.

Federer's moves made even blowout matches worthy of watching. And the moments in which he fell short made his legacy even more intriguing.

It is because of attitude and a genuine love of discovery and the road, just as long as he can return to low-friction Switzerland on occasion to regroup. Then there were the tears, which came in victory and defeat and came, it seemed, more often early in his career than late. Off the court — with the sponsors, the news media, the public and his family of six — he put the emphasis on being in the moment and present (and that does not refer to social media presence). And then there is the pièce de résistance of his statistics: Federer never called a halt to any of his 1,526 career singles matches or 223 doubles matches because of injury or illness. But Federer also knew his limits: sensing when he was close to saturation and taking a well-timed, usually private break. For 20 years, he was a reliable on-screen presence: on television when he first emerged in the late 1990s and on all manner of devices by the time he played his last major tournament at Wimbledon in 2021.

The outpouring of praise and admiration in the wake of Roger Federer's retirement announcement is a testament to the Swiss tennis star's remarkable impact ...

[official Olympics Twitter page](https://twitter.com/Olympics/status/1570430892736413696), International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said, “@RogerFederer is a gentleman on and off the court – and a true Olympic champion. I wish you all the best.” You inspired countless millions and millions of people – including me – and we will never forget. “It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court. I’ll see you in London at the Laver Cup.” it’s a sad day for me personally and for sports people around the world.

February 18, 2005: Swiss Roger Federer returns to Russian Nikolay Davydenko in the quarter final of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.

We take a look at his career. He played in more than 1,500 matches over 24 years. Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer announced his retirement from tennis at age 41.