Roger Federer has admitted that he was relieved and feels content after calling time on his professional tennis career at 2022 edition of Laver Cup.
Swiss tennis star widely dubbed as one of the GOATs of the game is also second to none in terms of longevity as he lived a professional career that spanned for 25 years. During his illustrious career, the 20-time Grand Slam winner shattered a bevy of records to set and extend some incredible ones – 8 Wimbledon Singles titles and 10 Halle Open trophies among others – before hanging up the tennis racket.
However, despite having the most efficient playing style and smoothest of the movements on all the surfaces, the age began to caught up and meddled with his physical game as he succumbed to injuries on his both knees and had to undergo multiple surgeries.
Unable to compete regular on the ATP circuit, the 41-year old decided to bid farewell to the game by playing his final career in a double contest by partnering with his all-time rival Rafael Nadal.
The Laver Cup doubles rubber saw many a emotions poured out of his eyes but the greatest grass courter of all time while talking to media in New York admitted that he felt relieved and happy after walking away from the sport at O2 Arena in London.
“Life without the game, and life without the fans, and life without the schedule that has dominated my life for 25 years has definitely been something I didn’t know how I would take,” explained Federer. “For the longest time, I tried to come back and give it one more shot and leave the game healthy, but it was not doable.”
He continued, “But the good/bad thing about Covid, and with my knee surgery, is that everything started to slow down in the past three years, so it wasn’t like I came from playing 100 matches and then boom, it’s over.’
“At the end I was relieved, I think, and happy to retire. It ended in the most perfect way at the Laver Cup. I was surrounded by my biggest rivals, and my family was there and my friends. For me it felt like, “OK, I’m good now. I don’t need to chase that itch anymore.”
When Federer stepped into the royal box on Centre Court on the eve of 2023 Championships, he was welcomed with huge standing ovation and big applause. The Swiss compared the moment to the 100-year Wimbledon anniversary in 2022 when he was still not officially retired.
“Last year, I walked out on Centre Court for the 100-year anniversary celebration. It was beautiful but painful,” claimed the former No.1. “I was injured. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to play again, so it was a very emotional moment.
“But this year was totally different. My dad whispered to me, “Don’t you wish you were playing on court instead of sitting and watching?” and I was like, “No. I feel content watching and enjoying the game.”
Roger Federer Career Numbers
The classy Basel native is tapping his post-retirement ventures with Uniqlo, On Shoes and others after recording one of the greatest tennis careers of all times. Here are some of his records.
Grand Slams: 20
ATP Titles: 103
ATP Masters 1000s: 28
ATP #1 Weeks: 310
Olympic medals: 2 (Doubles Gold – 2008, Singles Silver – 2012)
ATP Finals titles: 6 (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010 & 2011)
Davis Cup titles: 1 (2014)
Federer is currently busy in his ambassadorial duties and promotional chores in New York after entering a collaboration with JW Anderson to launch his exclusive clothing line for UNIQLO casual wear brand.