Tennis champion Roger Federer has announced his retirement after facing challenges in the form of “injury and surgery”.
The 41-year-old said in a video posted on Twitter that he “had to realize when it was time to end my playing career”.
Federer has won 20 Grand Slams, including eight Wimbledon titles. His last Grand Slam title was the 2018 Australian Open.
He will stop playing after the Laver Cup later this month – to be held at the O2 arena in London.
He said: “Today, I want to share some news with all of you. As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of trauma and surgery. .
I’ve worked hard to get back to full play. But I also know my body’s capabilities and limitations and its message to me has been very clear lately.
“I’m 41 years old. I’ve played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever dreamed of and now I have to realize it’s time to end my playing career.”
“Next week’s Laver Cup in London will be my last ATP event. Of course, I will play more tennis in the future, but not in Grand Slams or on tour.”
Federer has not competed since Wimbledon in July 2021 following an operation to repair the meniscus and meniscus in his right knee – his third on that knee in about a year and a half.
It took place a few days after the end of the US Open, expected to be the last tournament of the 23 major championships in Serena Williams’ career.
Federer’s record in numbers
• 20 – Grand Slam title
• 31 – Last appearance
• 23 – Consecutive appearance in Grand Slam semi-finals from 2004 to 2010, an all-time record
• 8 – Wimbledon titles, the most of any man
• 1,251 – Won out of 1,526 career games
• 369 – Major tournament wins
• 310 – Number of weeks at number one in the world, 237 consecutive weeks
• 5 – Federer has reached the final in every Grand Slam at least five times
• 103 – Career title, second in the Open Era behind Jimmy Connors
• 65 – Consecutive wins on grass from 2003 to 2008
• 2 – Olympic medals: double gold with Stan Warwrinka in 2008 and silver single in 2012
• £113,577,897 – Career Bonus
