Roger Federer lost the final match of his tennis career Friday, ending a career that spanned 24 years and included 20 Grand Slam titles, alongside his longtime rival and friend Rafael Nadal.
The 41-year-old Swiss legend concluded his career in the Laver Cup in London after announcing last week that the three-day teams tournament would be his last. Federer, who competed as part of Team Europe in the tournament, pushed his final match to a tiebreaker against Team World duo Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock, with a final score of 6-4, 6-7, 9-11.
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“We’ll get through this somehow, won’t we? Right?” an emotional Federer asked. “It’s been a wonderful day. I told the guys I’m happy, not sad. It feels great to be here, and I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time. Everything was the last time. … I wanted it to be a celebration. It’s been a perfect journey. I would do it all over again.”
Federer said he was happy that he made it through the final match unscathed, claiming he thought he would hurt his calf or knee again, according to Fox Sports. Federer’s retirement from the sport was partly due to an injury to his knee at Wimbledon last year, which required his third knee surgery in two years.
“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,” Federer said on social media last week. “I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years. 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.”
Federer, Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have dominated the sport for the last 20 years, with Federer reaching the finals in Grand Slam tournaments 31 times. Federer has also won two Olympic medals, one silver and one gold.
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Federer’s family, including his wife and parents, were at the final match Friday night, which took over 2 1/2 hours.
Federer’s retirement comes one month after tennis star Serena Williams announced she was “evolving” away from the sport. Williams, who is 40, said she would be focusing on other things, including motherhood and expanding her family. Williams closed out her career at the U.S. Open earlier this month after her third-round defeat.
