Roger Federer to retire from pro tennis after next week's Laver Cup in London
"As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I've worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body's capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been dear. I am 41 years old," Federer said on Instagram.
"I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career.
"The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the tour."
Federer, who dominated men's tennis after winning his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, has been troubled by injuries in recent years.
He has undergone three knee operations in the last two years and his last competitive match was a quarter-final defeat against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz at the 2021 Wimbledon.
Federer had announced he planned to return to the tour when he teams up with long-time rival and friend Rafa Nadal to play doubles at the Laver Cup in London.
He had also planned to play at the Swiss indoors tournament at home in Basel.
Without a doubt, Federer will go down as one of the greats to ever play the game.
He has won 103 ATP singles titles, the second most of all time behind Jimmy Connors, including 20 Grand Slam singles titles, which ranks him third of all time behind his old enemies Nadal (22) and Novak Djokovic (21).
He also has a record eight men's singles Wimbledon titles, an Open Era record-tying five men's singles US Open titles, and a record six year-end Championships.
He was ranked world no 1 by the ATP for 310 weeks, including a record 237 consecutive weeks.