Roger Federer retires from tennis at 41
Tennis legend Roger Federer has announced he will retire from the sport at the age of 41.
The Swiss maestro – who won a total of 20 Grand Slams, the third highest men’s tally of all time – retires as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Federer’s last appearance came at last year’s Wimbledon, where he reached the quarter-finals. His final Grand Slam triumph was at the 2018 Australian Open, when, aged 36, he became the second-oldest man to win a major singles title in the Open era.
He claimed 103 singles titles on the ATP tour and was world number one for 237 consecutive weeks between February 2004 and August 2008, which remains a record.
Knee Injuries blight career as Federer retires
Federer’s decision follows a turbulent period for the Swiss star, who has undergone three knee surgeries in a desperate attempt to return to his former glories.
His injuries have limited his appearances on tour and he has played in just three of the 11 Grand Slams staged since the start of 2020.
‘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’ve met along the way: my friends, my competitors, and most of all the fans who give the sport its life,’ Federer said.
‘Today, I want to share some news with all of you. As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries.
‘I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body’s capacity and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear.
‘I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1,500 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.
‘The Laver Cup in London next week will be my final ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the tour.
‘This is a bittersweet decision, because I will miss everything the tour has given me.
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