Roger Federer Announces His Retirement, Thanks His ‘Unbelievable’ Fans: You Made the ‘Dreams of a Young Swiss Ball Kid Come True’

Sarah RumpfSep 15th, 2022, 10:36 am
 
Roger Federer

Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images

Tennis great Roger Federer announced his retirement in a Twitter post Thursday, writing that the Laver Cup next week in London would be his final Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) event and he “will play more tennis in the future, of course, just not on the Grand Slam or the tour.”

Federer tweeted his announcement in four pages of text along with a single heart emoji, and also posted the message in a video format.

“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: my friends, my competitors, and most of all the fans who give the sport its life,” Federer’s message began. He mentioned his “challenges” during the past three years with injuries and recover from surgery, and that he knew his “body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear.”

At 41 years old, Federer continued, he had played more than 1,500 matches in over 40 different countries over his 24-year career, calling the experience “an incredible adventure.”

“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,” he said, calling the decision “bittersweet,” and adding he would “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 next several paragraphs were effusive expressions of gratitude for everyone who had supported his career. He thanked his “amazing” wife Miroslava “Mirka” Federer and four “wonderful” children, two sets of twins. “Seeing my family cheering me on from the stands is a feeling I will cherish forever.” He thanked his parents, sister, coaches, business partners, sponsors, and competitors.

“We battled fairly, with passion and intensity, and I always tried my best to respect the history of the game,” he wrote. “I feel extremely grateful. We pushed each other, and together we took tennis to new levels.”

He wrapped his thank yous by addressing his “unbelievable fans.”

You will never know how much strength and belief you have given me. The inspiring feeling of walking into full stadiums and arenas has been one of the huge thrills in my life. Without you, those successes would have felt lonely, rather than filled with joy and energy…

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. Through my travels, I have met many wonderful people who will remain friends for life, who consistently took time out of their busy schedules to come watch me play and cheer me on around the globe. Thank you.

Federer closed his message by reminiscing about how he got his love of tennis while working as a ball kid in his hometown of Basel, Switzerland:

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 to this day.

So, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart, to everyone around the world who has helped make the dreams of a young Swiss ball kid come true.

“Finally, to the game of tennis: I love you and will never leave you,” he concluded.

Federer’s many accolades for his sport include being one of only 8 men to win all four majors, holding the record for the most Grand Slam men’s singles Championships with 20 titles, spending a record of 302 weeks ranked No. 1, being the oldest No. 1 at 36 years old, 103 Career Singles Titles, most Wimbledon Championships won with 8 titles, tied for the most US Open titles with Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras at five, a Doubles Olympic Gold Medal in 2008 at the Beijing Games (partnered with Stanislas Wawrinka), and a Singles Olympic Silver Medal at the London Games in 2012.

The announcement of his retirement brought many tweets thanking Federer for his contributions to tennis, with numerous commentators saying that he along with Serena Williams had changed the sport forever.

“The game will miss these two,” tweeted ESPN.

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Sarah Rumpf - Contributing Editor

Sarah Rumpf joined Mediaite in 2020 and is a Contributing Editor focusing on politics, law, and the media. A native Floridian, Sarah attended the University of Florida, graduating with a double major in Political Science and German, and earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the UF College of Law. Sarah's writing has been featured at National Review, The Daily Beast, Reason, Law&Crime, Independent Journal Review, Texas Monthly, The Capitolist, Breitbart Texas, Townhall, RedState, The Orlando Sentinel, and the Austin-American Statesman, and her political commentary has led to appearances on television, radio, and podcast programs across the globe. Follow Sarah on Threads, Twitter, and Bluesky.