Roger Federer announces his retirement from the ATP Tour and grand slams
“I love tennis,” Federer told reporters after announcing his retirement
In an emotional post on Instagram, the World No. 1 said, “I am so grateful to have been a part of this sport… a part of my life.”
Federer retired from competitive tennis at the end of Sunday’s quarterfinals against Nick Kyrgios, his 17th Grand Slam quarterfinal, with a 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (3) victory in just over two hours. It was his first match this year in just under two months, and his third time trailing as he was knocked out in four sets or less, following on from his defeat in the third round of the 2017 US Open.
“This week has been a trying week for me to say the least,” Federer said. “I have learned a great deal about myself throughout this journey and about life and I am grateful for each and every day.
“Tennis is a great game. I have seen it through the years as a fan and I have seen it from the top down with each great player and each great coach and each great umpire has taught me something about tennis. I have seen the ups and downs and when I look at my record, I have seen ups and downs.”
Federer said that he will miss competing on hard courts and that he will always remember “playing the best tennis of my life”.
“This is a very special sport to me and I will miss playing it as a player, as a fan and as a man,” he said. “I will forever be grateful for every moment I was a part of the sport of tennis.”
Federer’s career statistics, based on ITF data, include 19 Grand Slam singles titles
