Tennis legend Roger Federer has announced that he will retire from the sport after the Laver Cup next weekend, with a glistening 24-year career set to come to an end.
Federer made his debut before the turn of the century in 1999, winning his first Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2003, aged just 21. An incredible 19 Grand Slams followed for the Swiss star, including five consecutive titles at Wimbledon from 2003 to 2007 and five consecutive US Open titles from 2004 to 2008.
Many battles with stars such as Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have taken place in that time, although as time has trudged on, injuries have become apparent for the Basel-born hero with his last major title coming in 2018, and just three titles since 2012. And that has given him enough time to consider retirement after the Laver Cup, which he broke via his Twitter on Thursday in a heartfelt statement.
"To my tennis family and beyond, of all the gifts that tennis has given me over the years, the greatest, without a doubt, has been the people I've met along the way. My friends, my competitors, and most of all the fans who give the sport its life. Today, I want to share some news with all of you," a statement read on his Twitter.
"As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I've worked hard to return to full competitive reform. But I also know mu body's capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear.
"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 recognise when it is time to end my competitive career. The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the tour.
"This is a bittersweet decision, because 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 most fortunate people on Earth. I was given a special talent to play tennis, and I did it at a level that I never imagined for much longer than I ever thought."
Behind only Djokovic and Nadal in the overall list of Grand Slams won throughout his career, Federer will go down as a pioneer and one of the all-time greats of the sport.
