Roger Federer insists 'I won't become a tennis ghost' after final bow

Swiss will bring down the curtain on a glittering career after the Laver Cup in London

Swiss great Roger Federer at a training session ahead of the Laver Cup tournament at the O2 in London on Wednesday, September 21, 2022. Federer announced he will retire from tennis this week. AP

Roger Federer train for the Laver Cup - the final tournament of his career - in London on Wednesday. AP

Roger Federer chats with Cameron Norris of Great Britain during a training session in London. AP

Roger Federer trains for the Laver Cup in London, which will be his last tournament before retiring from professional tennis. EPA

Roger Federer during training ahead of the Laver Cup in London. EPA

Rod Laver and Roger Federer of Team Europe ahead of the Laver Cup at the O2 Arena in London. Getty

Roger Federer during practice session at the 02 Arena, London. The 20-time grand slam champion announced last week that he would bring his professional tennis career to a close after the Laver Cup that starts in London on Friday. Picture date: Wednesday September 21, 2022.

Roger Federer trains in London. AP

Roger Federer insists he will not become a "tennis ghost" after he brings down the curtain on his illustrious career later this week in London.

A stone's throw from where he won a record eight Wimbledon titles, the 41-year-old Swiss said he had no intention of walking away from a sport he has graced for so long.

Speaking to reporters at London's O2 Arena, where Federer twice won the ATP Finals title, the 20-time Grand Slam champion was emotional at times as he explained the decision to retire.

Asked what his plans were for the future, Federer said he would not disappear like Swedish great Bjorn Borg, who is captaining Europe against the Rest of the World this week.

"I just wanted to let the fans know I won't be a ghost. It's funny, I spoke about Bjorn Borg, he didn't return to Wimbledon for 25 years and that hurts every fan," Federer said of the 11-time major winner who quit tennis aged 26.

"But I don't think I'll be that guy. I feel tennis has given me too much. I have been around the game for too long. Have fallen in love with too many things.

"You'll see me again. In what capacity, I don't know. Still have to think about it a little bit, give myself some time."

Federer announced last Thursday that the Laver Cup, the team event he helped create, would be the last act of a professional career spanning almost a quarter of a century.

Elaborating on his decision to retire from competitive action, Federer described the last few months as stressful, saying he was not willing to "risk it all" by having more surgery on his troublesome right knee.

"At some point you sit down and go, 'OK, we are at an intersection here, at a crossroads, and you have to take a turn, and which way is it?'

"I was not willing to go into that direction of let's risk it all. The hardest part after that is when you realise, OK, this is the end."

Federer has not played a match since losing in the 2021 Wimbledon quarter-finals and is not in shape to play singles at the Laver Cup. He hopes to bow out in a doubles tie, preferably alongside great rival Rafa Nadal.

"I don't know if it's going to happen, but it could obviously be a special moment," he said.