Roger Federer retired on 23 September 2022, playing his last match alongside Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup. The former world number 1 decided to hang up his racquet at the age of 41, after doing everything he could to return.
competitive. The Swiss has undergone three knee operations in the last two and a half years, but he failed to solve the problem and had to accept the reality. The King experienced a timid comeback last year, playing just 13 official matches and stopping again after Wimbledon.
As the months went by, it became less and less likely to return to high levels. Through a letter published on Instagram on September 15, the Basel Master announced to the world his retirement. The 20-time Grand Slam champion has vowed he will not move away from tennis and there are rumors that he will join the BBC team at Wimbledon 2023.
Host of the ‘Aparté’ program on Canal Plus, Stan Wawrinka has spent nice words for the his illustrious compatriot.
Wawrinka praises King Roger
Guest of the program in Aparté on Canal Plus this Thursday, Stan Wawrinka returned to the essential role played by Roger Federer in his career.
“When I arrived, Roger was already practically at the top of tennis. He took me like a big brother. He helped me, we trained a lot together. I was lucky enough to be able to rub shoulders with him a lot, in training, in tournaments.
In the Davis Cup, we shared a lot of things. Then he just became a friend. We were somewhat on the same level, not career, but behavior, mutual aid. I owe him a lot in my career.” Nick McCarvel, a well-known tennis reporter, analyst, and host, recently discussed Roger Federer’s farewell at the 2022 Laver Cup.
“It was amazing. I think Roger [Federer] pushed himself to get ready. I think he was trying to come back. He came to Wimbledon for that centenary celebration to center court. I think there was the idea that he was gonna make the final push for one more Wimbledon 2023, but the body just wasn’t up to it,” McCarvel said.
“That week was so special, having Novak, Andy and Rafa there, having the next generation guys like Casper and Stef and even the team world guys. The scenes, Rafa [Nadal], Andy [Murray], Novak [Djokovic], all being very emotional in their own ways as Roger [Federer] was breaking down.
That was a really special moment for our sport and it’s hard sometimes I think for us to contextualize it,” he added.
