Rafael Nadal sends emotional message to Roger Federer after retirement announcement
Rafael Nadal has penned an emotional message to his ‘friend and rival’ Roger Federer after the Swiss legend confirmed his retirement plans.
Roger Federer Sport News
It was an 'honour to share all these years' with Federer, says Nadal
Rafael Nadal said it was "an honour" to share "amazing moments" with Roger Federer after the Swiss great announced his retirement from tennis on Thursday. Federer, 41, said he would retire after the Laver Cup in London later in September, having not played since Wimbledon 2021 because of a knee problem. "Dear Roger, my friend and rival, I wish this day would never have come," Nadal wrote on Twitter.
Factbox: Roger Federer's records and milestones
Roger Federer after the Swiss great said he would retire from tennis following this month's Laver Cup: * Won 20 Grand Slam titles, only behind Rafael Nadal (22) and Novak Djokovic (21). * Claimed 103 titles, second only to Jimmy Connors' Open Era record of 109. * Won 1,251 singles matches, second in the Open Era behind Connors' 1,274. * Most consecutive weeks at world number one (237). * Oldest player to hold the number one ranking (36 years, 320 days).
'Thank you for the memories and joy' - Wimbledon to retiring Federer
Wimbledon paid a fulsome tribute to Roger Federer after he announced he will retire after next week's Laver Cup on Thursday, thanking the Swiss legend who won a record eight men's titles there for "the memories and joy".
Roger Federer retires from tennis: Rafael Nadal pays tribute
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have been rivals on the tennis court for well over a decade now, but that rivalry is ending, with the Swiss star hanging up his racket after the upcoming Laver Cup.
"Wish This Day Would Have Never Come": On Roger Federer's Retirement, What Rafael Nadal Said
Roger Federer announced on Thursday that he would bring down curtains on his illutrious tennis career after next week's Laver Cup. Federer issued a statement earlier on Thursday saying his body had effectively told him to bring the curtain down on a career that yielded 20 Grand Slam singles titles. The Laver Cup team event in London will also give him a final chance to play competitively as part of the "Big Four", who dominated tennis over the past two decades. Rafael Nadal, who holds the record for Grand Slam titles with 22; Novak Djokovic, who has won 21 Grand Slam crowns; and two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will all play together as part of Team Europe. Federer paid tribute to them too. "I was lucky enough to play so many epic matches that I will never forget," he said.
Watch: Roger Federer's Emotional 2003 Wimbledon Interview After His First Slam Win
Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer is to retire after next week's Laver Cup after admitting on Thursday his battles with a knee problem had forced him to call time on his historic career. "The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event," he said in a statement posted on social media. The 41-year-old winner of 20 Grand Slam titles has been out of action since a quarter-final loss at Wimbledon in 2021, after which he underwent his third knee surgery in 18 months. "The last 24 years on tour have been an incredible adventure," he wrote.
Carlos Alcaraz pays tribute to Roger Federer as the tennis great announces his tennis retirement
New men’s world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz has thanked Roger Federer for his dedication to tennis after the 20-time Grand Slam winner announced he will be retiring. Federer took to social media to share his decision to step away from the sport after the Laver Cup, having struggled to compete consistently over the last few years due to injury.