Legend, champion, tennis icon: Roger Federer announces the end of his career! What is his message to all his fans?

The end of an icon and a great sporting legend – this is probably a safe way to interpret Federer’s announcement that he is ending his active career. Roger Federer will end his tennis career after the London Laver Cup. The main reason is health complications.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion has been struggling with health problems for the last three years, specifically with knee problems. And this is one of the main reasons why the Swiss tennis king has decided to call it a career.

Federer will still play at the Laver Cup in London, which takes place from September 23 to 25. And this event will be the last one where fans will see him during his active career.

The tennis player himself announced his end via social media, or rather on his aforementioned Twitter account.

Federer will be missed…

“To my tennis family and beyond. Of all the gifts tennis has given me over the years, the greatest has undoubtedly been the people I have met along the way. My friends, my competitors and most of all the fans who give life to this sport,” he said via his account.

“As many of you know, the last three years have been limited by various injuries and surgeries. I have worked hard to get back to full competitive form. But I also know my body’s abilities and limits and its message has been clear to me recently.

I’m 41 years old. I’ve played more than 1,500 games in 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever dreamed possible and now I have to admit that it is time to end my competitive career,” he added.

Federer has not played a classic competitive match since last summer, when he lost to Hubert Hurkacz in the Wimbledon quarterfinals. He subsequently announced he needed further knee surgery. Needless to say, he has already undergone two surgeries in 2020, moreover, the rehabilitation especially after the last surgery did not go as well as he had hoped.

Thus, the Basel native will be sorely missed not only by fans but by tennis in general. And as Federer himself said, he will also miss this environment.

“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 happiest people in the world. I was given a special talent to play tennis and I was able to take it to a level I never imagined, for much longer than I thought possible.”

His greatest achievements include winning 20 Grand Slam titles, doubles gold at the 2008 Olympics and singles silver at the 2012 Olympics. He is also the winner of 103 singles and eight doubles tournaments on the ATP circuit, and enjoyed the 2014 Davis Cup winner’s trophy.

Roger Federer – Twitter, ATP