The end had style.

Hardly surprising, one might think, after all Roger Federer has long since gone down in sports history as one of the most elegant tennis players, as one of the noblest athletes.

A letter, two pages of paper, perhaps not handwritten, but at least signed, announced what the tennis world had seen coming for some time, but which now comes as a shock: Roger Federer is ending his career.

As early as next week he will play a match on the ATP tour for the last time at the Laver Cup continental competition he created in London.  

Pirmin Clossé

sports editor.

  • Follow I follow

"To my tennis family and beyond," Federer begins the lines, the photo of which he shared on social networks on Thursday afternoon.

He then announced what he describes as a "bittersweet decision."

He has worked hard to get fit again after the many injuries and surgeries that have kept him from playing tennis over the past three years.

"But I also know my body's capabilities and limitations, and its message to me has been clear lately."  

In June 2021, Federer played his last game on the professional tour at Wimbledon.

He lost, even then physically ailing, in the quarter-finals against Hubert Hurkacz from Poland.

He then underwent a third knee operation.

Just a few months ago, however, he had publicly dreamed of returning to Wimbledon.

The plan envisaged a comeback at the Laver Cup, an appearance at his home tournament in Basel at the end of October and then targeted preparation for the coming season, supposedly his last.  

But things turned out differently.

There were rumors last week that the healing process was not going as hoped and that water had formed in the operated knee.

Federer did not address this in his farewell letter.

He was "41 years old," he only stated, and had played "more than 1,500 games" in 24 years on the tour.

Now he must recognize "when it is time to end my professional career." The time is now.

Even if it hurts. 

In tennis, the dismay is great.

"The world of tennis will never be the same without you," wrote Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro, who has also retired.

The new world number one Carlos Alcaraz just tweeted "Roger..." and a broken heart.

A few days after another icon said goodbye to professional life in the form of the oversized Serena Williams, the sport is now facing a change in times.

"It's a heavy loss for tennis," said Frenchman Richard Gasquet on the sidelines of the Davis Cup in Hamburg.

"Our sport will be different now." 

The "greatest gift", wrote Federer himself, was "all the people" who accompanied him on his way.

Then he thanked everyone he meant in emotional words: his wife Mirka, his four children, parents, sister, coaches, the Swiss Tennis Association, his team, management, sponsors, opponents and above all the fans.

"I will miss everything the tour gave me," he announced.

Nevertheless, there is "a lot to celebrate" because he "considers himself one of the happiest people on earth".  

Federer, who gave so much to the game, who set countless records, won 20 Grand Slam tournaments, 103 titles, marked an era and several generations of players and fans, resigns with great gratitude.

"Finally," he wrote, "to the tennis game: I love you and will never leave you." That was somehow conciliatory news for the tennis world, which was deeply sad that day.

The end had style.