Roger Federer announces his retirement from the ATP Tour and grand slams
By Issy Ronald, CNN
(CNN) -- Roger Federer has announced that he will retire from the ATP Tour and grand slams following the Laver Cup next week in London.
"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," the 20-time grand slam winner said in an Instagram post.
The last few years of Federer's career have been marred by a series of injuries, as he underwent two knee surgeries in 2020 and another after he was defeated by Hubert Hurkacz in the 2021 Wimbledon quarterfinal.
"As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries," he 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."
Federer's long career coincided with those of 22-time grand slam winner Rafael Nadal and 21-time grand slam winner Novak Djokovic, with whom he dominated men's tennis for the last two decades.
"I would also like to thank my competitors on the court," Federer said.
"I was lucky enough to play so many epic matches that I will never forget. We battled fairly, with passion and intensity, and I always tried my best to respect the history of the game. I feel extremely grateful."
Despite playing alongside two of the greatest players of all time, Federer has still broken multiple records, including becoming the oldest ever world No. 1 at age 36 and remaining at the top of the rankings for a record 237 consecutive weeks.
Among his many accolades, Federer won a career grand slam: the Australian Open six times, the French Open once, the US Open five times, and Wimbledon -- the tournament with which he was synonymous -- a record eight times.
"This is a bittersweet decision, because I will miss everything the tour has given me," he said. "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 a level that I never imagined, for much longer than I ever thought possible."
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