Swiss tennis star Roger Federer announces retirement

Federer has 20 Grand Slam triumphs and over 100 tournament victories. © Keystone / Peter Klaunzer

Tennis superstar Roger Federer is ending his professional tennis career. The Laver Cup in London next week will be his last appearance on the 2022 ATP Tour, the 41-year-old announced on Thursday.

He has played more than 1,500 matches and won 20 Grand Slams over 24 years.

“Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever could have dreamt and now I must recognize when it is time to end my career,” he said in a video statement.

To my tennis family and beyond,

With Love,
Roger pic.twitter.com/1UISwK1NINExternal link

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 15, 2022External link

The past three years have presented Federer with challenges in terms of injuries and surgeries. He said that he has worked hard to return to full competitive form but he knows his body’s capacities and limits. He has been recovering from a knee operation since playing at Wimbledon in 2021.

In a three-minute video he expressed his thanks to all those who supported him over the years and his love for the game.

“I want to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone around the world, who has helped make the dreams of a young Swiss ball kid come true,” he said. “Finally, to the game of tennis, I love you, I will never leave you.”

On the court

Federer, who was born in Basel in 1981, has been praised for his consistency, skills and longevity, holding the record for consecutive weeks at No. 1 (237) and more than 18 years in the top ten, including being the oldest No.1, when he was 36.

He has won the most grand slam matches (369) and reached the most finals (31) of any player in the history of tennis. 

But the praise goes beyond his ability to out-match his opponents. He has been admired for how he played the game. He is considered one of the most naturally talented players ever, with an effortless, graceful style.

David Foster Wallace wrote in 2006External link of “Federer Moments”: “These are times, as you watch the young Swiss play, when the jaw drops and eyes protrude and sounds are made that bring spouses in from other rooms to see if you’re OK.”

Off the court

Over the last couple years, Federer has turned to more pursuits off the court including becoming an investor in Swiss athletic apparel company On, which went public in September 2021. He also became an ambassador for Swiss Tourism in a bid to help the tourism sector ailing from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“I’ve always felt like I’ve represented Switzerland, not just through the Olympic Games or team competitions,” said Federer when the announcement was made.

“I’ve been very proud to do that for the 22 years that I’ve been on tour. I’ve always felt like an ambassador to the country so to do this was a logical step.”

Federer also established a foundation 18 years ago, which supports educational projects in southern Africa and Switzerland. Federer’s mother is South African and he holds both Swiss and South African citizenship.

In August, Forbes listed him as the world’s highest-paid tennis player for the 17th year despite not playing a match for nearly 14 months.