close
Thursday March 28, 2024

Swiss tennis legend Federer announces retirement

Federer says his body had effectively told him it was time to bring the curtain down

By AFP
September 15, 2022
In this file photo taken on January 29, 2017 Switzerland´s Roger Federer celebrates his victory against Spain´s Rafael Nadal during the men´s singles final on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. — AFP/File
In this file photo taken on January 29, 2017 Switzerland´s Roger Federer celebrates his victory against Spain´s Rafael Nadal during the men´s singles final on day 14 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. — AFP/File

GENEVA: Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer is to retire after next week's Laver Cup after admitting on Thursday his battles with a knee problem had forced him to call time on his historic career.

"The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event," he said in a statement posted on his Twitter account.

The 41-year-old winner of 20 Grand Slam titles has been out of action since a quarter-final loss at Wimbledon in 2021, after which he underwent his third knee surgery in 18 months.

His fellow tennis legend Serena Williams is all but certain not to play again after bowing out of the US Open in the third round this month.

Federer said that his body had effectively told him it was time to bring the curtain down.

"I've worked hard to return to full competitive form," he wrote.

"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 dreamt, and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career."