Tennis, Sports World Reacts to Legend Roger Federer’s Retirement

Athletes and observers around the world paid homage to the superstar as the news broke.

Roger Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion and tennis icon, announced Thursday he will retire from tennis following the Laver Cup in London. 

“I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years,” he said in a video posted to Twitter. “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.”

The 41-year-old has been on the ATP tour since 1998, racking up 103 singles titles and the third-most Grand Slam titles among men’s players in tennis history. He is only behind Novak Djokovic (21) and Rafael Nadal (22). The first of Federer’s eight Wimbledon titles came in ’03 when he was only 21. In ’04, he won his first U.S. Open and Australian Open titles, while also defending his Wimbledon crown. He clinched his first and only French Open title in ’09. 

From February 2004 to August 2008, Federer was ranked No. 1 in the world. He also won a gold medal in the ’08 Olympics and silver in the ’12 Olympics. 

The latter part of his career was marred by injuries, including multiple knee surgeries. The Swiss last won a Grand Slam at the Australian Open in ’18 and did not appear in a single Grand Slam tournament in ’22. 

Federer will go down as one of the greatest to play the game, and rivals like Rafael Nadal and others paid homage to the superstar as the news broke. 

Roger Federer has announced that he will retire from tennis after the Laver Cup

One of the greatest to ever do it 🐐 https://t.co/l6NYPwW8Z7

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 15, 2022

Thank you for everything Roger. See you soon. Rocket https://t.co/wjjk1lvd2H

— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) September 15, 2022

💔. Some of Fed’s numbers are laughably impossible to top (23 straight slam semifinals, for instance) but his impact on tennis far exceeds what he accomplished on court. Thanks for everything, RF 🐐. https://t.co/HiGsPGeikA

— John Isner (@JohnIsner) September 15, 2022

What a heartfelt message , full of love, life, hope, passion and gratitude. Which is exactly how Roger played the game we love so much. Thank you thank you thank you, for all the magic!!!
Xoxoxo https://t.co/2s1Aw5SpJ5

— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) September 15, 2022

Roger has been one of my idols and a source of inspiration! 🥲 Thank you for everything you have done for our sport! ❤️ I still want to play with you! 🥹 Wish you all the luck in the world for what comes next! 💪🏻 @rogerfederer pic.twitter.com/k4xjyN3AAB

— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) September 15, 2022

.@rogerfederer thank you for doing more for tennis than any single individual. Thanks to you competitors and fans across the world get to experience and enjoy it all over the world. Congratulations on your achievements and the people you continue to impact in and away from tennis

— Milos Raonic (@milosraonic) September 15, 2022

😢😢❤️❤️🐐🐐 https://t.co/Je74AYtfuj

— Stanislas Wawrinka (@stanwawrinka) September 15, 2022

Roger… 💔

— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) September 15, 2022

💔😢. I LOVE YOU, Roger. Thank you for everything you’ve done in tennis and with myself. Tennis world will never be the same without you. https://t.co/Wm0IjNqjjx

— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) September 15, 2022

You changed the game, #RForever. @rogerfederer ❤️ pic.twitter.com/XIyDzCMTuk

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 15, 2022

From 1998 to 2022...

Thank you, @rogerfederer ❤️#RForever pic.twitter.com/lyoFBUmpI0

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 15, 2022

🥇 Gold in 2008. 🥈Silver in 2012.

Roger Federer: Forever an Olympian. pic.twitter.com/SzwuYQDbhX

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) September 15, 2022

🐐🐐🐐 https://t.co/fyWcu9dfnC

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 15, 2022

Legend of the game.@rogerfederer 🧡 pic.twitter.com/zztdM9THmc

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 15, 2022

🗣 BREAKING NEWS 🗣

Tennis icon @rogerfederer has officially announced his retirement after the @LaverCup. Congratulations on a historic career! 👏#RForever pic.twitter.com/gDmFMjFrnx

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 15, 2022

R O G E R! ♥️ 😢#Federer#RogerFederer pic.twitter.com/zjLaWRem9Z

— Garbiñe Muguruza (@GarbiMuguruza) September 15, 2022

Us right now.@rogerfederer | #RForever pic.twitter.com/dpwBGy312Q

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 15, 2022

What I will most remember about Roger Federer:

How effortless he made it all look.

The movement of his body.

The flow of his strokes.

All while, seemingly, not ever sweating! pic.twitter.com/ZsZHzF5DFQ

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 15, 2022

There have been few champions in the history of any sport as admired as Roger Federer - which is a testament to his class, sportsmanship and regard for the fans, every bit as much as his greatness. Thank you Roger, it was a pleasure to watch. pic.twitter.com/sBGjRKrYrg

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) September 15, 2022

Thank you, Roger 💙 https://t.co/kkzaIrfGQi

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 15, 2022

Roger Federer announces that he will retire from professional tennis after the Laver Cup.

🏆 20 Grand Slams
🥇 237 straight weeks ranked as the No.1 player
✅ 369 wins in Grand Slams
🎾 103 titles in Singles pic.twitter.com/hY77Mzc4V3

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 15, 2022

The one and only Roger Federer. #LaverCup pic.twitter.com/Ii1ODFjNxe

— Laver Cup (@LaverCup) September 15, 2022

An outstanding career comes to an end 😭

Thank you for all the memories Roger Federer! You will be missed!@rogerfederer | @swissteam | @ITFTennis pic.twitter.com/fJ1FZrh9YM

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) September 15, 2022

Roger,

Where do we begin?

It's been a privilege to witness your journey and see you become a champion in every sense of the word.

We will so miss the sight of you gracing our courts, but all we can say for now is thank you, for the memories and joy you have given to so many. pic.twitter.com/VDWylKvW86

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) September 15, 2022

Congratulations on a game-changing career, Roger. 👏

Have an ace retirement! And remember, you'll always be part of the Mercedes family. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7KtNeOfPVr

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) September 15, 2022

A role model for me and so many others!! Thanks for everything Roger 🙏🏼 It’s been a privilege to share the court with you!! https://t.co/lMF1zHp8vv

— Denis Shapovalov (@denis_shapo) September 15, 2022

Roger, there was and never will be anyone like you. You crushed me on the court, but were so nice and genuine that I couldn’t hate you for it. You made the game better on and off the court and you will be missed. Good luck, you have earned all the success and joy in the world https://t.co/DwROmZXeJm

— James Blake (@JRBlake) September 15, 2022

(1/2) Roger Federer is a champion’s champion. He has the most complete game of his generation & captured the hearts of sports fans around the world with an amazing quickness on the court & a powerful tennis mind. He has had a historic career w/memories that will live on and on. pic.twitter.com/zxGq4izh1v

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 15, 2022

Tearing up just listening to this. We love you Roger 😢 https://t.co/n2YsJJkIfC

— Jessie Pegula (@JPegula) September 15, 2022

The Laver Cup will begin on Sept. 23 in London.