Roger Federer, the Swiss tennis legend and 20-time Grand Slam winner, recently expressed contentment about retiring before his long-time rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. Federer, who struggled with his right knee in his final years on the ATP Tour, bid farewell to professional tennis in a poignant manner, marking the end of an era in the sport.
The 42-year-old’s last singles appearance occurred at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, where he bowed out in the quarterfinals against Hubert Hurkacz. Although he briefly returned to the court for the 2022 Laver Cup in London, Federer made the decision to retire from tennis following the tournament’s conclusion. His final match alongside Rafael Nadal, in a doubles encounter against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock, ended in defeat, prompting emotional scenes as both Federer and Nadal shed tears.
Reflecting on his departure from the sport in a recent interview with GQ Sports, Federer recalled his feelings during the 2022 Laver Cup press conference, where he was surrounded by his fellow tennis titans. “It feels good,” Federer remarked. “When I retired in London at the press conference next to Andy, Novak, Rafa, and [Björn] Borg and everybody who was there, I said, ‘It’s fitting for me to be the first to go.'”
Having turned professional in 1998, Federer highlighted the significance of his absence on the tour for Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray. He acknowledged that during his early years, he competed without them, and now it’s their turn to shine without him. Federer expressed his satisfaction in being the first to retire among the ‘Big 3′, particularly considering Murray’s struggles with his hip and uncertainty surrounding Nadal’s knee injuries.
“I had the time without them on tour when I came on tour and now it’s their time to have a moment on tour without me,” Federer remarked. “So it would’ve felt wrong for me if Murray, who almost retired with his hip, or Rafa with his knees, we didn’t know how long he was going to play. So I’m happy I was the first to go. And actually I wish that they can go on for as long as I did.”
As Murray, Djokovic, and Nadal continue to compete at the highest level, Federer’s retirement marks the end of an extraordinary era in tennis. While bidding farewell to the sport he loves, Federer remains supportive of his peers’ ongoing endeavors, wishing them success and longevity in their careers.
Roger Federer in 2024
Currently the world no., Federer played his last match on the 7th of July 2021 when he was overcome by world no.8 Hubert Hurkacz 6-3 7-6(4) 6-0 in the quarter in Wimbledon (draw).
Currently, during this season Roger achieved a 9-4 record.
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Now ranked no.652, the Spaniard played his last match on the 5th of January when he surrendered to world no.33 Jordan Thompson 5-7 7-6(6) 6-3 in the quarter in Brisbane (draw).
This season the Spaniard owns a compiled 2-1 win-loss record.
He is also scheduled to play in Barcelona (Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell) after Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. The main draw will start on the 8th of April.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal played each other 40 times. Their actual head to head record is 24-16 for Nadal. Previously, the last time they squared off, Roger Federer won 7-6(3) 1-6 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal in London (Wimbledon) in July 2019.
Here the video highlights.
Novak Djokovic in 2024
LWWWLWLWWW Currently ranked no.1, Novak played his last match on the 11th of March when he was overcome by world no.123 Luca Nardi 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the 3rd round in Indian Wells (draw).
At present, during this year Djokovic has a 8-3 match record. Novak Djokovic’s best accomplishment of this year was getting to the semifinal at the Australian Open.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic |
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