Roger Federer Announces Retirement: Key Dates In Legend's Career

Roger Federer has decided to hang up his golden boots as he bids goodbye to his professional tennis career after the Laver Cup this year. The first men's player to win 20 grand slam titles, Federer will be remembered for his peerless presence on the court and all round game. Here are some key dates in the career of Roger Federer who announced his retirement from tennis on Thursday:

1998 - Ranked 702, makes ATP debut in Gstaad, loses to Argentina's Lucas Arnold Ker in straight sets.

2000 - Reaches first ATP final in Marseille where he loses to compatriot Marc Rosset and also in his native Basel where Thomas Enqvist wins in five sets.

2001 - Wins first ATP title in Milan but highlight of year is defeating Pete Sampras in five sets in the fourth round of Wimbledon on Centre Court. The win ends Sampras' 31-match winning streak at the All England Club.

2002 - Wins first Masters title in Hamburg and later in Vienna where he dedicates victory to his first coach Peter Carter, who died in a car accident two months earlier.

2003 - Wins first Grand Slam crown at Wimbledon where he beats Andy Roddick in the semi-finals and Mark Philippoussis in the final. Ends year with 78 match wins.

2004 - Opens year with Australian Open title and ascends to the top ranking for first time on February 2. Loses to Rafael Nadal in Miami in pair's first meeting. Defends Wimbledon title with victory over Roddick and claims maiden US Open by beating Lleyton Hewitt.

2005 - Finishes number one for second straight year with 11 titles, including two Grand Slams at Wimbledon and US Open. First player since Don Budge in 1937-38 to win Wimbledon and US Open in back-to-back years.

2006 - Finishes world number one for third straight year highlighted by an