Federer, Williams departures bring sport into twilight of golden era

As Roger Federer joined Serena Williams in bringing down the curtain on an illustrious career, tennis moved ever closer to the end of a golden era.

Williams' emotional goodbye at the U.S. Open earlier this month was followed by Federer's announcement on Thursday that next week's Laver Cup in London would be his last professional outing.

Both players had taken their sport to new levels and been proclaimed the best to ever wield a racket, with 43 Grand Slam singles titles between them.

Their departures, along with the fact that Federer's great rivals Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic aren't getting any younger, have left fans looking back wistfully at a glorious period in the sport's history.

The 41-year-old Federer's decision was not unexpected given his recent struggles with injuries and form, but it was still met with an outpouring of sadness by tennis fans and former players.

"I wanted to find the perfect way to say this, as you so eloquently put this game to rest - perfectly done, just like your career," Williams said in an Instagram post, reacting to Federer's retirement.

"I have always looked up to you and admired you. Our paths were always so similar, so much the same. You inspired countless millions and millions of people - including me - and we will never forget.

"Welcome to the retirement club."

Like the 23-times Grand Slam singles champion Williams, who in 10 days will also turn 41, the triumvirate of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have dominated their sport for the last two decades.

And despite spending so many years on the tour, they continue to lure fans to the stands and television screens while their commercial pull still mesmerises brands and advertisers.

Williams's place in the sport was underlined by the fact that