Roger Federer has announced his retirement ahead of the Laver Cup.
Roger Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion confirmed that the team event would be his final ATP Tour tournament.
He has not played since Wimbledon last year after undergoing a third knee surgery and has now “recognized the time” to end his “competitive career“.
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“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.
Today, I want to share some news with all of you,” he wrote in a heartfelt statement on social media, also releasing audio of himself reading the message.
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“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 capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear.
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 drama, and now I must recognise when it is time to end my competitive career.”
Having previously entered next month’s ATP 500 event in his home of Basel, the 103-time title winner has now confirmed that the Laver Cup will instead be his final tournament.
He continued:
“The Laver Cup next week in London 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.
But at the same time, there is so 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 was possible.”
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