Roger Federer announces his retirement from the ATP Tour and grand slams
Roger Federer announced his retirement Monday from competitive tennis at the end of the season, ending a remarkable career on a trajectory that started in 1996 when a 16-year-old Swiss boy was given a wildcard to compete in the Wimbledon boys’ single-elimination competition. Federer lost in the first round but managed to qualify for his first major, the U.S. Open.
Federer captured the title in 2001 and won the US Open in 2005, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2017. He won four more Grand Slam titles, most recently the 2019 Australian Open.
Here’s what Federer said Monday:
“I’ve been fortunate enough to play and compete in a lot of great tennis,” Federer said in a statement. “I’ve always known deep down that I was a Grand Slam champion. It’s very difficult to beat yourself. It’s also very easy to get knocked down…. And I’ve lost to myself. There is no doubt. There is only one Roger Federer. I will never get a new one. I feel very well supported here, and I want to take the opportunity to be able to express my gratitude to the fans. Let’s thank them all for supporting me and for all the good times we had together.”
Federer was still competing at the time, winning the Sydney International Open in Australia, which was the season opener. He had been named ATP Player of the Year three consecutive years.
The loss means Federer will reach 40 Grand Slam singles titles, breaking his own record of 35 set by Bjorn Borg. He will also tie Pete Sampras for fourth all-time on 12 Grand Slam singles titles.
Federer had been considering retiring since 2018. He said in July “at least one tennis pro is waiting to announce the next top name in tennis,” according to The Associated Press.
Federer reached three-consecutive Grand Slam final at the Australian Open and one at the US Open in 2018, and lost both of those.
Federer won four Grand Slam men’s singles titles and one each in men’s doubles, mixed doubles and doubles in 2016. His last major,
