Roger Federer announces he is retiring from tennis

Swiss great reveals next week's Laver Cup will be his final ATP tournament

Roger Federer has announced he will retire from professional tennis after the Laver Cup next week. PA

Swiss tennis great Roger Federer announced on Thursday he is retiring from professional tennis. AP

Roger Federer, 41, will retire as one of the greatest tennis players with 20 Grand Slam trophies. PA

Roger Federer has announced his retirement after struggling with knee injuries. AP

Roger Federer plays a backhand return to long-time rival Rafael Nadal during their men's singles semi-final of the 2019 French Open. AFP

Roger Federer has announced he will retire from tennis after the Laver Cup next week. PA

Switzerland's Roger Federer has announced his retirement at the age of 41. Reuters

Roger Federer will retire from ATP events next week. AP

Roger Federer with the 2005 Wimbledon Trophy. PA

Roger Federer after winning the 2009 French Open. Reuters

Roger Federer during the Watsons Water Champions Challenge tennis tournament in Hong Kong in 2004. AFP

Roger Federer won his first major title at 2003 Wimbledon, defeating Mark Philippoussis in the final. AFP

Roger Federer en route to winning the 2006 Australian Open. AFP

Roger Federer of Switzerland holds the winners trophy aloft after winning the men's final at the at the Sydney International tennis tournament 12 January 2002. Federer beat Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina in straight sets 6-3,6-3. AFP PHOTO/David HANCOCK. (Photo by DAVID HANCOCK / AFP)

Roger Federer won more than $130m in career prize money. AFP

Roger Federer holds a falcon during a photo shoot in Doha in 2006. AFP

Unicef goodwill ambassador Roger Federer with a 'Feder-bear Beanie Baby' in Melbourne on January 18, 2007. AFP

Roger Federer in Marseille on 2000. AFP

Roger Federer signs autographs in 2005. AFP

Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer has announced that he is retiring from the sport.

The 41-year-old said on Thursday that next week's Laver Cup will be his final ATP tournament.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion has been struggling with a knee problem for the last three years and has decided now is the right time to step away.

Federer will play in the Laver Cup in London, the Ryder Cup-style competition that was his brainchild, but will then leave the professional game.

“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 form.

“But I also know my body's capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been dear. I am 41 years old,” Federer said on social media.

“I have played more than 1,500 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.”

It was the second big retirement announcement this year after American great Serena Williams announced her plans to move away from the sport.

Federer has been out of action since a quarter-final loss at Wimbledon to Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in 2021.

He subsequently announced he needed more surgery on his knee having previously undergone two operations in 2020 that kept him out for more than a year.

Federer had targeted a full return following the last operation but it became increasingly clear that his rehabilitation was not going as well as he had hoped.

Following the announcement, Wimbledon tweeted: “Roger, Where do we begin? It's been a privilege to witness your journey and see you become a champion in every sense of the word.

“We will so miss the sight of you gracing our courts, but all we can say for now is thank you, for the memories and joy you have given to so many.”

Federer's Grand-Slam record has now been surpassed by both his great rival Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic but many still consider him the greatest of all time.

Federer continued: “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 possible.”

Federer thus announced the conclusion of a stellar Grand Slam career that started two decades ago.

He first served notice of his special talent when he beat American great Pete Sampras on his way to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2001. The Swiss won his first major title at Wimbledon in 2003.

Federer leaves the sport with 20 Grand Slams, including a record eight Wimbledons, 103 titles and more than $130 million in prize money alone.

He also has 1,251 wins in singles matches, second only to Jimmy Connors in the Open era, which began in 1968.

Federer’s records include being the oldest No 1 in ATP rankings history – he returned to the top spot at 36 in 2018 – and most consecutive weeks there (his total weeks mark was eclipsed by Djokovic).

Federer also won six Australian Open titles, five US Open crowns and one French Open trophy. His 2009 win at Roland Garros allowed Federer to complete a career Grand Slam.