After a 24-year career, Roger Federer decided to hang up his racket last month. The Swiss champion realized that he could no longer compete at the highest level, thanks to a right knee that could no longer withstand certain efforts.
The King had attempted a timid comeback in 2021, accumulating nine wins and four losses. The former world number 1 had stopped again after Wimbledon (2021), hoping that another operation would allow him to afford one last race of the fair.
The 41-year-old Basel player had promised that he would play some tournaments in 2023, but the resonance he experienced last July confirmed that there was no further progress. Through a letter posted on Instagram, the Master announced his decision to resign.
His last performance in the Laver Cup was truly moving, with his great friend and rival Nadal unable to hold back his tears. At a press conference during the Guadalajara tournament, Eugenie Bouchard wanted to pay tribute to Roger.
Bouchard praises King Roger
«Well, I mean, the way I see Roger Federer, I don’t know if anyone can replicate it. If there are kids who look up to me, I’ve always said this throughout my career: It’s just an honor,» he said.
«I remember being that little boy, looking up to players, wanting their autographs, seeing them on TV. Being that person for someone else is just an honor. I appreciate the support. I hope I can inspire people to, yeah, get out there, play.» tennis, playing sports,» he added.
Former tennis player Carla Suárez Navarro recently spoke about Roger Federer’s incomparable legacy. “Anyone who loves sports loves Roger Federer. That is his legacy. To say that he is the best of all is a common debate and it is complicated.
What is clear is that tennis changed today. And the sport. When you want to practice one, whatever it is, you want to do it like him, with that elegance, without breaking a sweat. As if he didn’t cost her. We all want to be like him,” she noted.
“Whether or not your favorite player. If you love tennis, if you look at it with real attention, you enjoy watching Roger play. His dedication has been such that he amazed different generations. We grew up seeing him overcome, succeed and give us a lesson in values.
He taught us sportsmanship and respect above all else. He showed us that it is possible to reach the top by keeping your feet on the ground. Coinciding at the same time has been special. To be able to compete on the same courts, something unforgettable”, she had written.
