Roger Federer announces retirement, will play Laver Cup as final event

[Bleacher Creature]

Source: ESPN

Roger Federer announced Thursday that he is retiring from tennis after next week's Laver Cup, revealing his decision on social media.

"As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries," Federer said. "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 1,500 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."

Federer leaves tennis as a 20-time Grand Slam champion, the third most all time behind only contemporaries Rafael Nadal (22) and Novak Djokovic (21).

Read more: https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/34596649/roger-federer-announces-retirement-play-laver-cup-final-event

[SoCalDavidS]

1. Not Unexpected

So we’re left with Assholes like Djoke & Kyrigos.

[Comfortably_Numb]

2. What a sad day indeed... Federer was always all class.

Cleaned up because first post was unclear, muddled just all around crappy.

[hlthe2b]

3. well, he certainly has the right to go out when he's still fairly well "on top."

I can't say I blame him.

I guess the Laver cup is named for Rod. All I really remember about him is his enormous left forearm, though I'm told he may occasionally do broadcasting with BBC in Australia.

[Comfortably_Numb]

4. Oh for sure. He deserves to go out on his terms. The letdown is the Novax and Klown on the horizon

[Prairie_Seagull]

5. I have been watching tennis since the 70's,

and of the many greats that have come and gone, Roger, when he was "on" was the best of them all. Others were good even great prose but Roger was poetry. I will miss seeing him out on tour. I look forward to the Laver cup.

[Polybius]

11. Pete Sampras is right up there too

Before Federer, I thought there would never be anyone better.

[Prairie_Seagull]

12. if you take out the one trick ponies,

you know who I mean the almost 7 footers. Known as serve bots. I think Pistol Pete was the best server of the tennis ball I have ever seen because he could play in addition to having a great serve. Talk about spotting a serve. 14 majors and a joy to watch.

[LenaBaby61]

6. Serena, Roger and Venus ......

ALL leave together, just as I figured they would ......



Thanks for the memories guys 💖

[northoftheborder]

7. Roger Federer is the reason I started following professional tennis.

His qualities of cool, classy personal behavior and breath-taking tennis play will be difficult to replace..

[bahboo]

8. there will be great players to follow...

as there always is in tennis. Alcaraz, Sinner, Medvedev come to mind. But there will only be one Federer....first to 20 slams, and an unparalleled stylist on the court. Betting he will be as successful in his philanthropic endeavors, as he was on the court.

[LenaBaby61]

10. "There will be great players to follow..."

Tennis will indeed go on. All sports do.

Been watching tennis since 1969, and have seen many a great player come and go.

However, there will never be another "Big 3" (Fed, Rafa, Nole) in tennis, nor another Williams sister's act (especially Serena) ever in sports. Friends like myself and around my age who've followed tennis for decades also tell me that none of their grand kids care anything about Tennis, and can't name any of the younger players. They do know of Fed, Rafa and Nole and about Venus and Serena. Alcaraz has a LOT of upside for sure, Meddy's solid, and Rune seems like a gamer, but you won't see anyone winning double single slams like the big 3 or Serena--well not in my lifetime I don't think (I'm in my 60's).

[MissMillie]

9. He's been my favorite for a very long time

A class act on and off the court.

Watching him is watching perfection. His back-swing, his follow-through, his footwork--he performs it all the way it's supposed to be done.

Then there's stuff like this. (He admits to practicing this shot!)