Roger Federer Announces Plans to Retire From Tennis

He won three Grand Slam singles titles each year in 2004, 2006 and 2007. His only major stumbling block was the French Open, with the emergence of Nadal, nearly five years younger and practically untouchable on the red clay of Roland Garros.

Nadal eventually reeled Federer in on grass as well, defeating him in the 2008 Wimbledon final, widely considered one of the greatest matches in tennis history, and in the 2009 Australian Open final, where he comforted a crying Federer at the awards ceremony.

Federer won his first and only French Open in 2009 after Nadal was upset by Robin Soderling in the fourth round and reclaimed the Wimbledon title four weeks later by defeating Roddick. That win allowed Federer to break Sampras’s men’s record of 14 Grand Slam singles titles.

Federer’s twin daughters were born shortly after that Wimbledon victory, but Federer and his wife, Mirka, soon returned to the circuit and later traveled with their twin sons, as well.

Federer called Mirka “my rock” and her support — and logistical wizardry — were, along with the innovative work of his fitness trainer, Pierre Paganini, fundamental to Federer’s longevity.

“She has warmed me up before finals, watched countless matches even while over eight months pregnant and has endured my goofy side on the road with my team for over 20 years,” Federer said in his retirement announcement.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/15/sports/tennis/federer-retires-tennis.html