After a 24-year career, Roger Federer decided to hang up his racquet last month. The Swiss champion realized that he could no longer compete at the highest levels, thanks to a right knee that could no longer bear certain efforts.
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The King had tried a timid return in 2021, collecting nine wins and four losses. The former world number 1 had stopped again after Wimbledon (2021), hoping that yet another operation would allow him to treat himself to one last ride of the joust.
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The 41-year-old from Basel had promised he would play a few tournaments in 2023, but the resonance he underwent last July confirmed that there was no further progress. Through a letter posted on Instagram, the Maestro announced his decision to quit.
His last Laver Cup performance was truly poignant, with his great friend and rival Nadal unable to hold back the tears. In 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 look at Roger Federer, I don’t know if it can be replicated by anyone. If there are kids that look up to me, I’ve always said this throughout my career: it’s just an honor,” she said.
“I remember being that little kid, looking up to players, wanting their autographs, watching them on TV. To be that person for someone else is just an honor. I appreciate the support. I hope I can inspire people to, yeah, get out, play tennis, play sports,” she added.
Former tennis player Carla Suarez Navarro recently spoke about Roger Federer’s unparalleled legacy. “Every person who loves sports, loves Roger Federer. That is his legacy. To say that he is the best ever is a common debate and is complicated.
What is clear is that he changed tennis today. And the sport. When you want to practice one, whatever it is, you want to do it like him, with that elegance, without sweating. As if it didn’t cost him. We all want to be like him,” she noted.
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“Whether or not your favorite player. If you love tennis, if you watch it with real attention, you enjoy watching Roger play. His dedication has been such that he amazed different generations. We grew up watching 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 while keeping your feet on the ground. Coinciding at the same time has been special. Being able to compete on the same courts, something unforgettable,” she had written.
