Many tennis fans have feared the day when Roger Federer retires. Today he announced that Laver Cup next week will be his last event.
It should come as a shock that Roger Federer retires and it hits hard. But it’s also understandable considering all the injury complications he has suffered in the last couple of years.
I fell in love with the sport again thanks to the captivating beauty of Roger’s tennis. I am far from alone. He has ruled the tennis world for a long time. Maybe not always as the best player or the one with the most Grand Slams. But there is something else he brings to the game, something that arguably makes him the best ambassador the game could ever have.
Roger elevate the sport of tennis into something otherworldly. It became more than a sport. He made what should have been hard-fought matches look like exhibitions and he graced the game with humility and grace.
This is how he ends his retirement letter:
When my love of tennis started, I was a ball kid in my hometown of Basel. I used to watch the players with a sense of wonder. They were like giants to me and I began to dream. My dreams led me to work harder and I started to believe in myself. Some success brought me confidence and I was on my way to the most amazing journey that has led to this day.
So, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart, to everyone around the world who has helped make the dreams of a young Swiss ball kid come true.
Finally, to the game of tennis: I love you and will never leave you.
Roger Federer
Roger Federer Live
Roger Federer is an undeniable sport in tennis and I’m thankful to have seen him live on multiple occasions. I compiled a video a while back of those times I managed to watch him live. And it was always an event. Even when he lost to Haas in the second round (his first match) at the Mercedes Cup 2017, I enjoyed the show, the cat-like movement and silent assassin tennis style.
Federer is flair personified and he will be sorely missed in the game. I would urge you to share your own Roger Federer memory in the comments below.
If you’re not a fan, you can ignore all this for now. Regular tennis programming will resume shortly. But without Roger this time.
And I think the sport is a bit less exciting for it.
