TIG Post

Tag: Roger Federer

  • 20-time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer, retires after Laver Cup loss

    A tearful Roger Federer waved goodbye to professional tennis after teaming up with fellow great Rafael Nadal on an emotional night at the Laver Cup.

    The 41-year-old received a long ovation after walking off court for the final time as he retired as a professional.

    The Swiss, who won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, is considered one of the best players in tennis history.

    “It’s been a wonderful day. I’m happy, not sad. It feels great to be here. I’m happy I made it through,” he said.

    Federer cried as he hugged Nadal and other players, then took acclaim from the thousands of fans who chanted his name at the O2 Arena in London.

    Nadal also could not hold back the tears. The 36-year-old Spaniard cried as he sat alongside Federer while the pair listened to British singer Ellie Goulding, who rounded off a memorable night with a performance.

    Federer and Nadal – for so long rivals at the top of the men’s game – joined forces to play doubles against American pair Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe in the annual team event between Europe and the rest of the world.

    Despite Federer not having played competitively for over a year, the veteran duo pushed Sock and Tiafoe before losing 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 11-9 as Team World levelled at 2-2 at the end of play on the opening day.

    Federer and Nadal – affectionately nicknamed ‘Fedal’ – almost won it. The pair had a match point at 9-8 in the decider, but Federer could only lunge for a forehand which he pushed into the net.

    The defeat brought the former world number one’s 25-year professional career to a close after his 1,750th competitive match across singles and doubles.

    “It’s been the perfect journey. I’d do it all again,” said Federer as tried to hold back tears during his on-court speech.

    Federer throws the retirement celebration he wanted

    Federer’s career had long been on the downward slope, having battled a knee injury for the past two years and needing three operations in a bid to overcome the problem.

    He had not played a competitive match since losing to Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last year.

    Despite being restricted to only three of the 11 Grand Slams staged since the start of 2020, he hoped as recently as July he would still be able to return to the major tournaments.

    But, after a scan brought further bad news, Federer announced last week he was going to retire because his “body’s message lately has been clear”.

    Federer had talked about throwing a party to mark his final match, saying he wanted the occasion to be fun and not funereal.

    As he wished, there was a celebratory atmosphere in the 17,500-capacity arena.

    The key numbers in Federer’s career
    20 Grand Slam singles titles 310 weeks as world number one
    103 ATP titles 28 Masters 1,000 titles
    6 ATP Finals victories 31 Grand Slam finals
    1 Davis Cup triumph £114m career prize money

    Watched by his wife Mirka, their four children, plus his parents Robert and Lynette, Federer’s every move was greeted with cheers containing a mixture of euphoria and empathy.

    The family joined him on court afterwards during a poignant celebration, which saw many more tears and Federer hoisted aloft by his fellow players.

    “Everyone’s here, the boys and girls. My wife has been so supportive. She could have stopped me a long, long time ago but she didn’t,” said Federer.

    “She kept me going and allowed me to play, so it’s amazing – thank you.”

    The presence of several tennis legends including Rod Laver, along with celebrities including Hollywood actor Hugh Grant and Vogue editor Anna Wintour, added to the occasion.

    Current world number ones, Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, tweeted their range of emotions as they watched the match on the television, as did Federer’s Swiss Davis Cup team-mate Stan Wawrinka.

    Federer was only fit enough to play doubles because of a knee injury and his movement was limited.

    Afterwards, he joked he was happy to get through the match without pulling a muscle in his calf or back.

    “Being with the guys and having family and friends, I didn’t feel the stress so much even if I felt something would go during the match,” Federer said.

    “I am so glad I made it through and the match was great. I couldn’t be happier.”

    Roger Fedeer
    Federer and Nadal have been long-time rivals and opponents in some of the sport’s greatest moments, but have also become good friends

    What Federer means to tennis and his fans

    Not only did Federer push boundaries with his play and set a plethora of records, he also became one of the most popular players tennis has ever seen.

    His style of play – described as balletic, graceful and fluent – has endeared him to millions of fans across the world. So too has his polite and charming personality.

    Federer transcends tennis. For some, he almost transcends the world.

    Before the match, you could see hundreds of fans filing into the arena wearing Federer-branded clothing and accessories.

    Hats, T-shirts, scarves, banners and even custom-made earrings. All red and white – the national colours of Switzerland – with most emblazoned with the initials of their hero: RF.

    A few Swiss flags were also draped around the indoor arena.

    One Federer super-fan at the O2 Arena, Robert Springer from Poland, described his idol as the ‘King of Tennis”.

    “He has quality, empathy, a super sportsman, a gentleman and a good father. Plus he always has time for his fans. He’s the one and only,” Robert told BBC Sport.

    Tickets for the night session on Friday were already sold out before Federer announced last week he was going to retire after the annual team event.

    Initially they were available from between £40 and £510. Following the news, they were being offered on resale platforms for over £1,000 each.

    Despite the match finishing at 00:26 BST, with the celebrations continuing for about another half an hour, few of those present left before the end.

    “Thank you everybody. I’ve had so many people cheer me on and you guys here tonight mean the world,” said Federer, who later added he was “really scared” about speaking on court because he knew he would get emotional.

    “This is not the end-end, you know, life goes on. I’m healthy, I’m happy, everything’s great, and this is just a moment in time.”

    Source: BBC

  • Ahead of Roger Federer’s farewell tennis match: Protester sets arm on fire on court

    Ahead of Roger Federer’s farewell tennis match later  this evening, a protester on the court at London’s O2 appeared to accidentally light fire to his arm.

    The incident happened during the opening session match between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Diego Schwartzman on the first day of this year’s Laver Cup.

    After a brief delay, the match, the second of the first day, was able to resume.

    Tonight, Swiss star Federer, 41, will play for the final time before retiring from tennis.

    The 20-time Grand Slam champion will team up with old rival Rafa Nadal for a match against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World.

    Last week Federer announced his retirement after being faced with challenges in the form of “injuries and surgeries” and said he will stop playing competitively after the Laver Cup.

    Ahead of tonight’s match, the tennis star teased fans and wrote on Twitter: “about to hit the practice courts one last time with @RafaelNadal. might do an IG Live on the way..”

    Federer, who has won 20 Grand Slams including eight Wimbledon titles, created the tournament with his agent to honour his idol, Rod Laver.

  • Swiss tennis international Federer announces retirement

    Tennis giant, Roger Federer has revealed that he will be exiting the scene after next week’s Laver Cup in London following continued struggles with a long-term knee injury.

    The Swiss great, 41, has called time on an extraordinary 24-year career which has seen him win 20 Grand Slam singles titles, behind only Rafael Nadal (22) and Novak Djokovic (21) on the men’s all-time list.

    A social media post from him read: “As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form.

    “But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear. I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1500 matches over 24 years.

    “Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognise 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, or course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the tour.”

    At age 16, Federer made his competitive debut in 1998 and won his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003.

    He surpassed idol Pete Sampras’ record when he beat Andy Roddick in the 2009 Wimbledon final to claim his 15th.

    The veteran has not played a competitive match since suffering a quarter-final exit to Hubert Hurkacz at last summer’s Wimbledon.

    http://backend.theindependentghana.com/serena-williams-welcomes-roger-federer-to-retirement-club

    He then announced he would require more surgery on his knee having previously undergone two operations in 2020 that kept him out for more than a year.

    Having failed to recover from the latest setback, the sport will lose a true legend of the game.

    Meanwhile, Serena Willams, who recently retired has welcomed Federer to the “retirement club.”

     

  • Serena Williams welcomes Roger Federer to ‘retirement club’

    Serena Williams, who recently retired from tennis and welcomed her male counterpart, Roger Federer, into retirement.

    While welcoming him to the “retirement club”, Serena said the Swiss professional tennis player inspired a lot of people across the globe.

    “You inspired countless millions and millions of people – including me – and we will never forget,” said Williams.

    “Welcome to the retirement club. And thank you for being you,” she added.

    Federer, 41, will end a career that featured 20 Grand Slam singles titles after the Laver Cup, which begins in London on 23 September.

    “I have always looked up to you and admired you,” said Williams. “I applaud you and look forward to all that you do in the future.”

    Williams and Federer played against each other only once on court, facing off in a mixed doubles match at the Hopman Cup in 2019.

    Roger Federer and Serena Williams
    Roger Federer’s first Wimbledon title in 2003 coincided with Serena Williams’ second

    Federer and fellow Swiss Belinda Bencic beat Williams and American compatriot Francis Tiafoe in front of a tournament-record 14,000 crowd.

    Federer’s decision to retire from the sport after three years blighted by knee injuries has prompted a wave of tributes.

    Federer’s great rival Rafael Nadal, one of only two men’s players with more Grand Slam singles titles, said it was “a sad da” for sport.

    Current world number ones Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz, 21 and 19 respectively, thanked Federer for inspiring them.

    “I just want to thank you for everything you’ve done and everything you are for our sport,” Pole Swiatek said.

    “It’s been a privilege to witness your career. I wish you all the best.”

    Spaniard Alcaraz said: “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!”

    Andy Roddick, who lost to Federer in a five-set Wimbledon final in 2009, joked that Federer’s retirement could prompt him to launch an All England Club.

    “Thanks for the shared memories my friend,” the American said.

    “It was an honour to share time/experiences on the most hallowed grounds in our sport. Don’t be a stranger.

    “Also, seems like a good time to start training for Wimby (Obviously kidding).”

    The key numbers in Federer’s career
    20 Grand Slam singles titles 310 weeks as world number one
    103 ATP titles 28 Masters 1,000 titles
    6 ATP Finals victories 31 Grand Slam finals
    1 Davis Cup triumph £114m career prize money

    Federer’s appeal extended to legends of other sports.

    Argentina and Paris St-Germain forward Lionel Messi described Federer as a “genius”.

    “Unique in tennis history and a role model for any sportsman,” said the 35-year-old.

    “I wish you the best in your new stage, we will miss seeing you on the court.”

    Sachin Tendulkar and Roger Federer in conversation at Wimbledon in 2011
    Tendulkar and Federer in conversation at Wimbledon in 2011

    Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, a regular in Wimbledon’s Royal Box, said, like many, that the style of Federer’s tennis had captivated him.

    “What a career,” he said. “We fell in love with your brand of tennis. Slowly, your tennis became a habit. And habits never retire, they become a part of us.”

    Source: BBC