Legendary tennis player Roger Federer announced on Thursday that he will retire from the sport after next week’s Laver Cup in London. The 41-year-old Federer posted a letter on social media saying he decided it was time to step away from the ATP Tour, the world’s top tier for men’s tennis. Federer cited challenges “in the form of injuries and surgeries,” adding, “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….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.”
Federer won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, and is considered one of the best players in the history of the sport. Federer won his first major singles title in 2003 at the age of 21, and went on to dominate the sport along with fellow tennis greats Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – the “Big Three” of tennis — recognized as the best three men’s players. The ATP ranked Federer as No. 1 for 310 weeks, including a record 237 consecutive weeks. Of his 20 Grand Slam singles victories, his most came at Wimbledon, where he won a record eight times. His most recent Grand Slam final win was at the Australian Open in 2018, but in recent years, injuries have hindered his efforts to continue playing.
As he reflected on his career, Federer wrote: “This is a bittersweet decision, because I will miss everything the tour has given me. But at the same time, there is 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.” Federer also thanked his fans for the support they gave him throughout his 24-year career: “The inspiring feeling of walking into full stadiums and arenas has been one of the huge thrills of my life. Without you, those successes would have felt lonely, rather than filled with joy and energy.”
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