Tennis legend Roger Federer has announced he will retire from the sport at the age of 41.
Federer has confirmed the last tournament of his illustrious career will be the Laver Cup in London, scheduled to be held at the 02 next weekend.
The Swiss maestro – who won a total of 20 Grand Slams, the third highest men’s tally of all time – retires as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Federer’s last appearance came at last year’s Wimbledon, where he reached the quarter-finals. His final Grand Slam triumph was at the 2018 Australian Open.
He claimed 103 singles titles on the ATP tour and was world number one for 237 weeks between February 2004 and August 2008, which remains a record.
Federer’s decision follows a turbulent period for the Swiss star, who has undergone three knee surgeries in a desperate attempt to return to his former glories.
His injuries have limited his appearances on tour and he has played in just three of the 11 Grand Slams staged since the start of 2020.
Federer is set to feature in exhibition matches but the Laver Cup, where he will represent Team Europe, will be his last competition on the ATP tour.
‘To my tennis family and beyond, of all the gifts that tennis has given me over the years, the greatest, without a doubt, has been the people I’ve met along the way: my friends, my competitors, and most of all the fans who give the sport its life,’ Federer said.
‘Today, I want to share some news with all of you. 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 capacity and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear.