Opinion
It’s tough to sum Roger Federer’s career up in one article, but I’ll do my best.
Federer made the announcement that he would formally retire from professional tennis at next week’s Laver Cup in on his Instagram account.
It’s a career spanning over 24 years with one of the greatest of all time racking up several records along the way. These include the first male player to win 20 grand slam singles titles, having the most consecutive weeks at World No 1 (237) and being the most decorated Wimbledon champion of all with a record (eight) titles at the home of tennis.
I still believe he is the GOAT, and the reason is not so much about the records he achieved on the tennis court. I know he doesn’t hold the several records he used to hold before due to Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic overtaking him in recent years but his effortless gamestyle and his ability to surprise is what he will be remembered most for.
In the early 2000s, as the Pete Sampras/Andre Agassi era was ending, tennis needed a new champion, a new player to grab ahold of, and Federer provided that.
He first really became known in 2001, when, at 19, with his ponytail and Nike bandana, he shocked the world, by knocking out seven-time Wimbledon champion Sampras in five sets in the fourth round.
Everyone thought that would be his coming of age moment but instead, we had to wait another two years with his first slam triumph coming at Wimbledon in 2003.
Federer then absolutely dominated the tour for the next four years from 2004-2007 where he won a staggering 11/16 grand slam Titles played in that time.
His effortless groundstrokes and amazing finesse on court, coupled with his swagger and charisma off it, made him one of the most popular/marketable athletes.
This is shown through him winning the ATP Fan Favourite Award for 19 consecutive years since 2003, all the way till last year in 2021.
Federer’s ability to constantly adapt is second to none in the world of tennis. Just when the questions started being asked about him in 2011 when he went the whole year without winning a slam since 2002 and with the emergence of the younger Novak Djokovic and continued dominance of Rafael Nadal, he reinvented himself again by winning Wimbledon in 2012.
He beat (1) Djokovic along the way and regained the number 1 spot for a brief period.
Since he hit 30, whenever he lost a match, he was constantly questioned on possible retirement. Despite this, he kept defying the odds, as he kept winning into his mid to even late 30s.
However, when 2016 came, he was (3) in the world and serious worries were had about his future after his horrible knee injury that he aggravated at Wimbledon which kept him out for 6 months.
There were doubts, even die hard fans questioned whether he could return to the highest level, and he surprised us yet again.
He came into the 2017 Australian Open withbarely any match practice as the (17) seed. He stated before the tournament, he’d hoped to make a QF, well we know the rest. He then beat three top ten players in (6) Berdych, (8) Nishikori & (3) Wawrinka on his way to defeating long time rival and great friend Rafael Nadal in five sets in the final to claim his fifth title.
It’s these kind of narratives/moments that transcend the sport. It didn’t matter of you didn’t follow or support tennis very well or at all, everyone knew Federer, this is because of the aura he created in the early 2000s.
He is the reason that players like 2021 French Open Runner Up Stefanos Tsitsipas, 2021 Wimbledon Finalist Matteo Berrettini and newly crowned US Open Champion and World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz started playing tennis – and that’s just to name a few.
I’m 18 now, and started watching tennis in 2014 when Federer was 32 years old. The first match of his I remember watching was the Australian Open QF match with Andy Murray that year when he got home in four sets. I was immediately a fan of his one handed backhand and his sensational forehand.
In early 2015, I was diagnosed with blood cancer and had to fight for my life at only 11 years old. Many things kept me going and helped me fight but one of the main ones was the chance to be able to meet my hero for my Make-A-Wish.
Roger Federer. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
In Australia, these are given to kids from 3-18 who experience a life threatening illness/medical condition.
In early 2016, my family and I were flown out to Brisbane to meet and talk to Roger. It was one of the best moments of my life as I was able to meet my hero and the guy who got me into tennis.
I recall him calling me “mini me” as I was wearing some of his old apparel and him signing a bucketload of different things for me from a racquet to a headband.
It’s these kind of moments that make him one of the most universally liked athletes in history as his relatability and humility really shine through.
From the 2008 and 2019 heartbreaking Wimbledon final losses against fellow rivals and arguable GOATS Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, to his first Roland Garros triumph in 2009 or his resurgent Australian Open win in 2017, Roger has given us so many moments to remember over the last 24 years.
He has shared the stage with Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic for just under two decades now and as expected he is the first to go with Nadal & Djokovic not far away given their ages.
Next weekend at the Laver Cup is going to be extremely tough for tennis fans but one thing is for sure and that is that Federer will give it his absolute best if his body allows it and he will relish competing with Djokovic, Nadal and Andy Murray, his three biggest rivals in his career.
From everyone who watches tennis around the world, you have inspired so many people around the world to take up and watch tennis. Thank you for transcending and changing the sport Mr Federer.
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Former Wimbledon champion, double grand slam winner and Australian Open finalist Garbine Muguruza has announced her retirement from tennis at the age of 30.…
Rafael Nadal has hailed the brilliance of Alex de Minaur, calling him "a great player" after the Australian forced the Spanish legend to say…
The clay season promises to be one of high level and tight margins. With the Monte Carlo open just around the corner, it will…
In incredible scenes, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz's quarter-final clash with Alexander Zverev at Indian Wells was halted abruptly due to a "bee invasion." Less…
Marathon man Jordan Thompson has finally clinched his first ATP Tour title, with the Australian upsetting Norwegian Casper Ruud to lift the trophy in…
Alex de Minaur has earned the perfect 25th birthday present, booking a place in the final of the Rotterdam Open with an emphatic revenge…
