Roger Federer may retire from tennis without a final on-court swan song as his lingering knee issue has placed the Swiss legend’s participation at this week’s Laver Cup in doubt.
Federer, universally considered one of the greatest players in the sport’s history, will retire from tennis after the Laver Cup in London this month. The 41-year-old, who won his first Wimbledon title back in 2003, has not played since Wimbledon 2021, after which he had a third knee operation.
Federer has struggled with a knee problem for the past three years that has restricted him to only three of the 11 Grand Slams staged since the start of 2020. It means news of his impending retirement does not come as a great surprise.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion picked the annual team event as his last appearance in professional tennis before he calls time on his illustrious career. Federer’s knee issues have meant a full comeback to the ATP Tour is simply not possible.
However, reports have emerged suggesting he may not be able to return to the court at the Laver Cup, which will go ahead at the O2 Arena in London from 23-25 September. Federer’s fitness trainer Pierre Paganini suggested the Swiss icon may tragically miss the event with as he continues to rehabilitate his knee.
“He will decide at the last moment,” Paganini told Switzerland’s Blick. “He’s trained to have as much information as possible about whether it is a good idea or not.”
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The 2022 edition of the Laver Cup will pit some of tennis’ greatest players alongside one another for Team Europe against Team World. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray are scheduled to work together as Europe attempt to retain the silverware.
Matteo Berrettini - the 2021 Wimbledon finalist - has been drafted in as an on-site reserve for Team Europe, who will play Team World in the three-day event, which starts on Friday. Federer will be present at the O2 Arena regardless of whether he competes or not.
Team World will be made up of Taylor Fritz, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Diego Schwartzman, Frances Tiafoe, Alex de Minaur and Jack Sock.
