Roger Federer’s retirement was undoubtedly one of the most moving moments of 2022. After a 24-year career, the Swiss phenomenon has decided to hang up his racket. His right knee had tested the King’s patience for the last two and a half years, forcing him to undergo three operations.
The problem was never resolved and the Master had to accept reality. The former world number 1 had attempted a timid comeback in 2021, posting nine wins and four losses. After being beaten by Hubert Hurkacz in the 2021 Wimbledon quarterfinals, Roger had another knee operation hoping for one last chance to come back.
Despite his best efforts, Federer’s MRI last July confirmed his fears. There was no further progress. The 20-time Slam champion played his last match in the Laver Cup alongside his eternal rival Rafael Nadal, who could not hold back his tears at the subsequent ceremony.
In an interview with the Swiss newspaper “Le Matin”, Stan Wawrinka commented on the withdrawal of his illustrious compatriot. Federer was due to play the ATP 500 Basel as well as the Laver Cup, but his form prevented him from being competitive in singles.
“Roger Federer won the ATP Basel so many times and it’s a strange feeling not seeing him here. The fans loved him and he always offered great tennis,” Wawrinka said. “It was an honor and a pleasure to play the same tournaments as him, we shared many moments that we will never forget.
This year is different without him, we are all sad. We hoped that he could play this tournament for the last time, but his knee did not allow it. His retirement is a sign that our generation is coming to an end,” added the three-time Slam champion.
Stan wants to give himself one more satisfaction before hanging up his racket.
Federer retired at 41
During a recent interview with the ATP Tour, Roger Federer opened up about the messages he received after the eventual announcement, from fans to colleagues and fellow celebrities.
“It’s been overwhelming to be quite honest, how many nice things have been written about me, a lot of them about my personality and about me as a person,” Roger Federer said. “Less almost as me as the tennis player, about my forehand or whatever you want to call it.
That’s been a wonderful surprise to me that a lot of people looked or supported me because of maybe my character. That was a bit of an unexpected twist to the story. I thought they were gonna talk about his achievements, his accomplishments, what he meant to the game, and that’s it. But it was much more than that. It totally over-exceeded my expectations,” the 41-year-old added.
