![]() My dreams led me to work harder and I started to believe in myself,” he said. They were like giants to me and I began to dream. I used to watch the players with a sense of wonder. “When my love of tennis started, I was a ball kid in my hometown of Basel. I have laughed and cried, felt joy and pain, and most of all I have felt incredibly alive.”Īs well as thanking his fans, Federer thanked his team, sponsors, parents, sister, wife and children, and recalled his time growing up in Basel, Switzerland. “I have had the immense fortune to play in front of you in over 40 different countries. ![]() While it sometimes feels like it went by in 24 hours, it has also been so deep and magical that it seems as if I’ve already lived a full lifetime. ![]() “The last 24 years on tour have been an incredible adventure. Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images I was given a special talent to play tennis, and I did it a level that I never imagined, for much longer than I ever thought possible.”įederer won Wimbledon eight times. I consider myself one of the most fortunate people on Earth. “But at the same time, there is so much to celebrate. “This is a bittersweet decision, because I will miss everything the tour has given me,” he said. He also won 103 ATP titles – the second most in the Open era behind only Jimmy Connors – a record six ATP finals, the Davis Cup and a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in the men’s doubles alongside Stan Wawrinka. 1 at age 36 and remaining at the top of the rankings for a record 237 consecutive weeks.Īmong his many accolades, Federer won a career grand slam: the Australian Open six times, the French Open once, the US Open five times, and Wimbledon – the tournament with which he was synonymous – a record eight times. “We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still lots of things to do together, we know that … I’ll see you in London.”ĭespite playing alongside two of the greatest players of all time, Federer has still broken multiple records, including becoming the oldest ever world No. It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world. Nadal took to Twitter to commemorate his great rival and friend: “Dear Roger,my friend and rival. We battled fairly, with passion and intensity, and I always tried my best to respect the history of the game. “I was lucky enough to play so many epic matches that I will never forget. “I would also like to thank my competitors on the court,” Federer said. Federer’s long career coincided with those of 22-time grand slam winner Rafael Nadal and 21-time grand slam winner Novak Djokovic, with whom he dominated men’s tennis for the last two decades. ![]()
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