Basel (Switzerland) – Former world number one and winner of twenty Grand Slams, Roger Federer, will end his career next week after the Laver Cup. The 41-year-old Swiss man informed him on Twitter.

“I did everything to get back to my best, but my body gave me clear answers. I’m 41 years old and in 24 years I’ve played more than 1,500 matches,” said Federer, who in recent years has dealt more with health complications. . than tennis.

He underwent several knee surgeries, only playing six games in 2020 and thirteen years ago. On the court, one of the greatest tennis players of all time made his final appearance last year at Wimbledon, and it wasn’t long before he was hoping to return to competitive play.

But in the end, he decided to end his career. “The Laver Cup in London will be my last ATP event. Even after that I will be playing tennis, but not at Grand Slams or circuits,” added Federer.

This Basel native has a total of 103 titles and two Olympic medals. In Beijing in 2008, he won doubles gold with Stan Wawrinka, four years later in London he was not enough in the singles final against Andy Murray from home.

At Grand Slams, Federer has been most successful at Wimbledon, where he won a record eight titles. He added six at the Australian Open, five at the US Open and won Roland Garros once.

Wimbledon organizers were one of the first to react to Federer’s end. “We will miss you. Thank you for all the memories and joy you gave everyone,” they wrote on Twitter.

“The decision to quit was a bit bitter because I will miss tennis so much. But I also realized that I have an amazing talent that I used to the fullest and for longer than I could have imagined,” said Federer.

“So thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone in the world who helped the little ball server from Basel fulfill his childhood dream. And a big thank you also to tennis – I love you and I will never leave you,” concluded Federer.

Kvitová, Roddick and Lineker congratulate Federer on retirement on his career

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitová also congratulated Roger Federer on his retirement on an extraordinary career. His great rival, Rafael Nadal, said he was surprised by the announcement.

“Roger, you have always been a great inspiration to me. Your elegance, grace and smooth play. Congratulations on a great career. Tennis will never be the same without you,” Kvitova wrote on Twitter.

“Dear Roger, my friend and rival,” Nadal wrote. “I wish this day would never come. It’s a sad day for me personally, but also for fans around the world. It’s been an honor to share these years with you and experience incredible moments on and off the pitch, ” he added.

“We’re still going through a lot together, we both know that. But now I wish you, Mirka (wife) and children good luck. See you in London at the Laver Cup,” added Nadal, a record 22-year-old winner. Grand Slams.

The legendary Martina Navratilova praised the style in which Federer said goodbye. “It was a message from the heart, full of love, hope, passion and gratitude. That’s how Roger plays. Thank you. Thank you for all the magic,” he said.

“Thank you for the shared experience,” said American Andy Roddick, who lost to Federer in the 2009 Wimbledon final. “It is an honor to share with you the most sacred arena of our sport,” he added.

“Roger is one of my idols and inspirations. Thank you for everything you have done for tennis. But I still want to play with you,” wrote Carlos Alcaraz, who became the youngest world number one at 19 after his US Open victory. on Sunday.

The famous Bille Jean King, in turn, called Federer the champion of champions. “He performed the most complete tennis of his generation and won the hearts of fans around the world,” he said.

“Watching you play is one of the joys of life. You make a lot of people happy. Good luck with the rest of your life,” added the former England international and now presenter of Lineker.

“Roger was a gentleman on and off the court and a true Olympic champion. I congratulate him on a great career and wish him all the best in the future. I hope we meet again one day,” added the chairman of the International Olympic Committee. . , Thomas Bach.

The chairman of the British Tennis Association, Scott Lloyd, believes that anyone who sees Federer play will never forget him. “We were lucky enough to have many of his great performances at Wimbledon. He ended up becoming a legend,” he said.

Former world number three David Ferrer and Judy Murray, Andy Murray’s mother, paid a brief tribute to Federer. “The saddest day for tennis. Thank you Mr Federer,” wrote Ferrer. “The end of a great era,” Murray concluded.

Roger will leave a big mark, says former tennis player Novák of Federer

and one of the greatest tennis players of all time, who will leave a big mark, former player Jiří Novák calls farewell to Roger Federer. The winner of seven ATP tournaments played nine matches against the world number one, winning four. In addition to his style of play, he loved Switzerland’s playful attitude, and he would always be the first to win 20 Grand Slam Jubilee titles. News of Federer’s retirement next week after the Laver Cup, however, did not surprise Novak.

“To me, the news of his death is not that surprising. He hasn’t played in the final year since Wimbledon, he’s had knee surgery and at 41 it’s very difficult to get on that train again. opinion, he is no longer eligible to win a Grand Slam title,” Novák said in a telephone interview with TK.

“He just stayed there because he wanted to be the best in history. But that’s hard to say, because with Nadal and Djokovic, it’s all great. But since he probably found out that his health wouldn’t allow it, he deservedly ended it. his career at the age of 41”, he added.

47-year-old Novák has faced the eight-time Wimbledon winner nine times, beating him four times. “I have fantastic memories of him. We became friends on the circuit, sometimes we also train together. I’ve always been a big fan of him,” said Novák.

“His performances are always good and I love his technique of play. He is always beautiful to look at. He is a sporting icon and has done a lot for tennis in the last twenty years. He is a legend and the first to win 20 Grand Slam titles. Nadal or Djokovic them chased him and jumped over him, but he was the first to reach twenty. He left a big mark,” he said.

The 2002 Australian Open semifinalist most credits his win against Federer in the final of the tournament at Gstaad, where he beat him 5:7, 6:3, 6:3, 1:6, 6:3 nineteen years ago. “He came there as Wimbledon champion, but I managed to beat him in the fifth set. With my family watching, my two year old daughter running onto the pitch and playing in a full stadium in her neighborhood, maybe that’s what happened. I will remember most of Novak’s words.

According to him, the natives of Basel left a great imprint not only in the history of tennis, but also participated in the creation of the current generation of players. “One hundred per cent, every young tennis player has a role model. In this generation, there will always be those called Rogers, Nadal or Novaks. For us, it’s Edberg, Becker, Sampas, Agassi, Connors, McEnroe, Lendl. Everyone has a role model, and Roger will leave a big mark,” Novák added.

He didn’t dare guess the forty-one year old Swiss man’s next move. However, he does not think that Federer will pursue a coaching career. “He’s been on the circuit for twenty-five years and he travels a lot so I can’t imagine him getting on a plane again and traveling thirty weeks a year with a client. He has young children, he wants to take care of them and enjoy life without tennis. He still has to nurture, train, rehabilitate, now he will finally enjoy being able to do what he wants,” added Novák.

Federer tennis career