After 24 years of career, Roger Federer retired in September of this year due to the precarious state of his right knee. The Swiss tried by all means to return to the circuit, but his physique sent him clear signals and the King had to accept reality.
The former world number 1 had attempted a timid comeback last year, playing only 13 official matches and stopping again after Wimbledon. Through a letter posted on Instagram on September 15, the 20-time Grand Slam champion announced his decision to retire.
The Basel Maestro played the last match of his career alongside his arch-rival Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup, the exhibition he founded in 2017. Roger received a splendid tribute at the end of the match, serving to certify the enormous impact he has made had in the sport in the last two decades.
During an event organized by Uniqlo in Tokyo, Federer expressed his desire to organize some performances in the future. Roger Federer has hinted that he will go on a farewell tour at some point – when his knee allows of course – declaring: “What I know is that I would love to go play places I’ve never played before or go give thank you for years to all the people who have supported me so much.
I’m still a bit scared [when it comes to other sports] right after the retirement, as my knee has been a bit bad and that [skiing] has to wait,” said the former world number 1. “As time goes by I will be able to do more traveling and we are always planning our vacations and I want them to be really fun.
They can be a little more creative. I would love to take my kids to Africa, whereas before vacations always had to be relaxing because my life on the road was very hectic, but now our vacations can be a little more adventurous”
Frances Tiafoe praises Federer
Roger Federer’s illustrious career has influenced the next generations of tennis players, with one of them being Frances Tiafoe, who has idolized the Swiss for his contributions to the sport.
“I mean, the impact he had on the game is wild. No one’s going to play the game like he did. No one’s going to carry themselves like he did. He never sweated, he never had a wrinkle on his shirt,” the American said.
“To play against them, even if one of then weren’t retiring, to play against them together is iconic, and as Fed’s last match… So, that’s even more iconic, and the crowd is going wild,” he recalled.
