Twenty-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer has announced that he will retire from the ATP Tour after the Laver Cup.
The 41-year-old has consistently struggled with injuries over the past few years and is yet to make an appearance on the 2022 Tour after undergoing knee surgery last summer.
Federer has spent the last 13 months recovering from his latest operation, with his most recent match coming in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon last year, where he lost to Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets.
The Swiss powerhouse announced earlier this year that he would be taking part in the Laver Cup in London later this month, but he will be stepping out onto the court for the final time on the ATP Tour this month.
"To my tennis family and beyond, of all the gifts that tennis has given me over the years, the greatest, without a doubt, has been the people I've met along the way," Federer wrote on social media.
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 15, 2022
"Today, I want to share some news with you all. 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 capacity and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear.
"I am 41 years old. I have played over 1500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognize 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.
"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.
"The last 24 years on tour have been an incredible adventure. While it sometimes feels like it went by in 24 hours, it has also been deep and magical that it seems as if I've already lived a full lifetime.
© Reuters
"I have had the immense fortune to play in front of you in over 40 different countries. I have laughed and cried, felt joy and pain, and most of all I have felt incredibly alive.
"When my love of tennis started, I was a ball kid in my hometown of Basel. I used to watch the players with a sense of wonder. They were like giants to me and I began to dream.
"My dreams led me to work harder and I started to believe in myself. Some success brought me confidence and I was on my way to the most amazing journey that has led me to this day."
Federer is set to retire from competitive tennis having won an incredible 103 singles titles on the ATP Tour, the most recent of which came at the Swiss Indoors in October 2019.
The twenty-time major winner was a part of Team Europe in their 2017, 2018 and 2019 Laver Cup triumphs over Team USA and will join Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Casper Ruud, Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas for the 2022 tournament.
Federer's imminent retirement comes less than two weeks after Serena Williams waved goodbye to the sport after losing her US Open third-round match with Alja Tomljanovic.
Ben Knapton
