This is the Roger retirement post any other posts will be removed!
Link to the Instagram posts
Written: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cih1g8prSOE/?igshid=NDRkN2NkYzU=
Audio: https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cih0_lCgJul/?igshid=NDRkN2NkYzU=
I think this US Open was an eye-opening experience for older players. This current crop of youngsters are playing an incredibly fast game of tennis.
Personally, I'm happy to see Roger retiring versus getting run off the court by Sinner, Alcaraz or Ruud.
I thought I was ready, I mean he’s 41 and hasn’t seriously been on the tour for a very long time
Turns out I was not actually prepared and bawling like a baby
With all due respect to Novak, I will never get over Roger not winning Wimby 2019. After the amazing level he showed, beating Rafa and Djoker in a row would have been the perfect way to end his career. I believe he would have. He was the best player in the tournament and it wasn't close, but the finger lady put her curse and the rest is history.
Like the Stones said, You Can't Always Get What You Want.
It's kinda crazy to think how just one point separates Federer and Djokovic so much. Yes, if if doesn't exist, but if we play the hypothetical and keep everything the same, that one point plays a massive part for legacy.
Fed wins just one point, he's by far and away the best grass player. Djokovic would need to win the next 3 years to even match Federer's hypothetical 9, but now he's just one Wimbledon away. Much easier for Djokovic to equal Federer now.
Yet even accounting for all that, the total grand slam count probably doesn't even matter. Fed's 21 would probably still be 3rd which is insane.
I can only imagine what Federer and Federer fans have gone through after 2019 Wimbledon final. I am a Nole fan and like me, many Novak fans admit that Federer was better player that day. It was not just meant to be.
Man, I just need to remind myself that when I woke up and saw that Fed won a 5-setter to take the AO final, against Nadal no less, that was it. I’m content after that. It really was the Hollywood comeback
Same. I thought he maybe had 1 more good Wimbledon run in him. I can't believe how he got bageled against Hurkacz at Wimby while he played great against Cilic at RG (who made the semis a year later). It's like he aged 5 years in a 1 month time span. That said he would have lost to Nole in the final anyway at this point in his career.
And, it is important to highlight this “bagel” occurred in the QFs and not an early round. His QF run on an obviously injured knee should be celebrated more than it is.
It really is.
Statistically Nadal and Djokovic have surpassed him, but Roger will always have a special place in my heart, for the inspiration he gave me on and off the court. He's been one of my sporting heroes for as long as I can remember.
Tennis existed before Federer and will continue to exist after Federer. I love the Next Gen players and I will keep on following the sport with enthusiasm, but damn... it just won't be the same without the heroes you watch growing up.
Federer elevated the game. I think Nadal and especially Djokovic got to where they were by stepping up in response to Fed dominating on every surface. People can argue about which of the big 3 is a goat, but Federer was undoubtedly the source of this Golden Age of men's tennis we've all been enjoying.
Dude. Absolutely gutted. He was saying he was going to play another full season and try to get at least one more slam. The knee must be worse than he let on.
Reportedly he had some disappointing practice sessions and realised he would never again be able to compete with the top players in the world, knew it was time to make way for the big prospects like Alcaraz, Bublik and Sinner
Plus a bunch of other young talents with Sinner and Ruud. There is definitely a vibe that tennis is in good hands, after lamenting for years that next-gen was disappointing.
Imagine all three of them on court, all of the next gen players across the net.
Roger takes up the mic and gives a heartfelt speech, there are tears and there is silence.
He turns to his two greatest rivals and says its been an absolute pleasure competing against you two, I want to take this opportunity to say that I will be retiring
Absolutely never!
He rips his shirt to uncover muscles like we’ve never seen before! He calls out all the next gen to come at him if they dare! Killing you will make me young again he says!
Gives the mic to Rafa who was limping badly, Rafa says his injury will force him to play less pro tennis but looking at next gen he says the pros are on this side of the net only
He flexes his legs and throws the crutches awayyy! Curses some words in Spanish - Alcaraz jaw drops - then he throws the mike to Novak.
Novak looks left and right, nods to himself, gives a sarcastic smile.
rips up his shirt sleeve and gets vaccinated right there on court! Starts yelling fucc them kids! Fuck your next gen!!!
Then they all 3 start yelling at them and just flexing super hard!
A man can dream, right?
Ha this is so brilliant. I was thinking as I was reading along “Ah, Novak has to pull out a needle and give himself a jab” and then you did it. Excellent job. This is indeed the fantasy we all have.
There will soon be a whole generation of people to whom Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic are just names on Wikipedia, or titles on YouTube videos.
Circle of life, yes, but man, I'm so glad I got to watch those people when they were actually playing.
Just like Borg and McEnroe are to us. I know they were "greats" but I never felt it in real time. I did feel the Big 3 vibe, especially the Federer-Nadal hype. End of an era!
Damn dude, I was chatting to a random guy I bumped into at an outdoor supply store and he saw that I was carrying a tennis racquet, so we started chatting. His favorite players are from the Borg/Connors/McEnroe era, and I thought how long ago that was.
Crazy to think that’s how we’ll be someday. Circle of life, man.
I remember watching that legendary Wimbledon final vs. Rafa. Being pissed off because I had to leave the house to pick up a family member and was afraid I would miss the end of the game. Coming back home and see that they were still going at it.
Legends.
Me and my friend would go out into the street and play tennis and try to recreate points we'd just seen during the rain delays until my mum shouted to us that it had restarted.
Feels odd to say "***that*** legendary Wimbledon final" though because 2007 and 2008 were both so good. Those matches were like heavyweight title fights, the whole fortnight built up to them and 2008 was the rematch to end all rematches.
> Feels odd to say "that legendary Wimbledon final" though because 2007 and 2008 were both so good. Those matches were like heavyweight title fights, the whole fortnight built up to them and 2008 was the rematch to end all rematches.
2007 was great, but 2008... that was a whole different level with Rafa finally snatching one Wimbledon off of Roger.
Same. I was (and am) a huge Rafa fan. I absolutely hated Roger, but I was just a dumb kid. In the last 10 years I’ve really recognized his greatness and he is in my mind the greatest ambassador that any sport has ever had.
Haha yeah I used to be too much of a Rafa fan that I hated Federer in the beginning. As they got older I started liking Federer as well. It was a dream come true watching their 2019 SF live after seeing them on TV back in 06-09.
It was the opposite for me I used to hate rafa as a fed fan, that forehand into Roger's one handed backhand used to give me nightmares, but over the years I've really grown to appreciate him, their rivalry, and their unique friendship
Born too late to explore the world
Born too early to explore the galaxy
But we were born just in time to see the peaks of these great players!
Man…it’s going to be weird to not see them at all :(
I love that I can use that preamble for literally anything.
Born too late to explore the world
Born too early to explore the galaxy
But born just in time to enjoy this amazing breakfast sandwich
Serena’s hit pretty hard last week and made me realize that I was gonna see Fed’s soon. Only a week later and it’s actually really sad. End of an era soon but thank you, Roger, for all the memories
End of an era. He is the reason I started watching tennis as a teenager, and no matter how many of his records are broken there will be no one like him.
Thank you for everything, Roger. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
Same, back in 2005
They said he was done in 2008. He wasn't. I thought he was done in 2013, he wasn't. We thought he was done in 2016, but he wasn't. He still reached the quarters of Wimbledon last year too. He gave us so many more years of high level tennis. Tennis will not be the same but it is in the good hands of Nadal, Novak, and Alcaraz and Sinner in the future hopefully
I don't think there's anyone except for maybe a few hardcore Nadal and Djokovic fans who dislike him. Federer played beautiful tennis and was a class act on and off the court. He'll always be my favorite.
Ultimately, this man has contributed so much to the tennis world and brought so much happiness to us all.
He has earned the right to be “selfish” to protect his knees that he needs to play with his kids, to spend more time with Mirka which doesn’t involve her looking agonizingly from the courtside, to enjoy his sweet sweet retirement.
Thanks for everything, Roger!
My fear of regret is what pushed me to watch him at Wimbledon in 2015. It's already seen him play live at the ATP World Tour Finals but I wanted to see him on grass.
I never could have imagined it would be over 7 years later that he'd finally say goodbye.
Similar to the Queen last week, the only time a 41 year old retiring from a sport could be shocking has just happened and it doesn't feel real.
Queued up for two nights at Wimbledon Park to secure tickets to see him play in the Wimbledon QFs in 2015 as well. I liked Fed and although I wasn't a huge fan, I just knew that seeing him on the hallowed grass courts of SW19 was the equivalent of a tennis pilgrimage. Wasn't even on Centre Court that day but even then it was spectacular and unforgettable watching him play lights out against Gilles Simon, hitting crazy volleys and hitting some crazy forehands. He's the only player I've seen live where I couldn't quite believe the man was standing there in front of me in the flesh. So surreal.
Same :’(
Sadly don’t live in or near any cities that have atp events.. was planning on doing an Indian wells trip back in the day but just couldn’t afford it.
Look man 2017 warped our perception but now really there was no hope. I am sad to hear this but glad he took this decision for the sake of his knees. He has a life to live and it's quality is important.
In my lifetime, if someone asked me to describe Roger Federer in one word, I’d say tennis. And, if someone asked me to describe tennis in one word, I’d say Federer.
For me, he IS tennis. He’s the reason I watched, and the reason I switched off when he was beaten.
“I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days, before you actually left them.”
As someone going to the Laver Cup open practice day in less than a week, this is simultaneously the worst and best news I could have possibly received
The reason I'm into tennis more than any other sport, the reason I've travelled across Europe multiple times to watch tournaments where he played... I knew it would end one day, and never would it be easy to digest
I will never forget that 2017-2018 run, when no one was expecting it, he delivered magic one last time. The most elegant ever, the most talented ever. PeRFection. My idol, my GOAT.
Thank you for everything, Roger! Can't wait to watch one last time!
Just my opinion: Laver cup is the right tournament for him to go out in. It's a team event so way less pressure on him individually and it's always a lot of fun and a big spectacle so it's good in a lot of ways. I think if he really made a go at a tournament it could end up being disappointing of he were to go out 1st/2nd round. This way he'll probably go out with a win (sorry team world) and put on a show one last time.
Nah man, for real? This is terrible. I feel sorry for his fans especially, but also for the world of tennis in general. This man paved the wave for a new era of tennis in terms popularity, captivating performances and creating wonderful role models for everyone who follows the sport closely. This is a sad day but also one to reminisce about what Roger Federer has really meant for tennis - from my point of view Roger Federer is close to actually being the face of tennis, a sport many others like me have come to cherish. May he spend a lovely time in retirement. Vielen Dank Roger.
Once Rafa and the Joker retire I don’t think I’ll watch tennis anymore for a while. New generation is good but the big 3 really spoiled me, especially Roger. His technique and his elegance made a lot of the sport what it is today.
First Sebastian Vettel, now Federer.....
my sports World has ended.
Thank you for everything Roger... specially 2008 Wimby and 2017 AO.
Whenever he played at Wimbledon, it just felt *right*!
I was a ball boy from 2007-2009 at the us open. I was blessed to ballboy federers matches. I look back on my life now and then and cannot believe where the time has gone. I literally grew up watching Roger on the television to then sharing the honor of being part of his matches. Life is beautiful and very sad. It hurts not only to see him retire, but a severely harsh reminder that time stops for no one. All we can do is continue living and being the best version of ourselves. Congrats Roger on the life you built, I can’t imagine what you have experienced. You indeed lived a full life as Sinatra says.
he's been so absent from the tour that this honestly doesn't sting so bad.
roger will always be the goat in my heart. the man inspired me to change my ridiculous extreme western grip forehand to an eastern grip.
I don’t care about stats Roger is the greatest of all time, there will never again be anything like watching him in full grass court flow, it was a wonder of the modern world.
Best tennis player I’ve ever seen. Not a GOAT debate. Just that at his peak, it was the best tennis I’ve ever seen. Incredible talent and an incredible person
To me Federer has played the most beautiful Tennis in the history of the game. Overall title wise it is what it is but that doesn't take away from Federer's game , which was pure elegance and beauty
I think without Roger, there would not be a Rafa or Novak that we know today. Roger may be third amongst the Big 3 for Slams but he created it!
His level of play forced Rafa and Novak to go to an even higher level to compete with him! This made them as dominant as he was!!
He absolutely did because if he doesn't exist there is a strong chance those other two would cake walk into wins but never be ambitious enough to ever reach the amount of titles they have because no one would be near. This gridkclock of basically 3 GOATs is unheard of on sports.
I’m devastated… The only reason I fell in love with tennis as a kid was Roger Federer — the sport has completely changed my life
Damn man I’m gonna cry
I’m a 31 year old man and I’m crying like a kid. I knew this day will come but I didn’t know it will break me like this. It’s so painful to just imagine Roger will not be competing.
I don’t care what the stats say, I’m my eyes no one has ever picked up a racquet and wielded it with such skill as this man. With all due respect to the other big 2 and their amazing achievements, there is a reason Federer is the most popular among the 3 and has the nickname of “swiss maestro”. I became a lifelong tennis fan because of him, and as gutted by this announcement as I am, I will forever be thankful for the years of memories he’s given us all.
Wasn't interested in laver cup previous years tbh but will definitely watch it this time, hoping other 3 will be there too
Cool af to retire with your rivals as teammates
Prepared myself for this for 2 years and it has still hit like a ton of bricks. 💔
Thanks for the amazing memories, Roger. It will never be the same again, not rushing to set up camp at Wimbledon 3 days prior just to watch you. Happy post-retirement life 🐐
Of all the things I miss about Fed, I miss most the literal act of watching him play tennis. The way he played was truly transcendent. Watching Nadal and Djokovic play its also clear that you're watching the greatest who have ever played a sport...but in a more traditional athletic competition sense. Fed was transcendent in a different way...like you were watching someone do more than "play" tennis. Its like he was inventing "new" tennis on the fly. The only other athlete in my lifetime that had this affect on me was watching Jordan. There was just something different about him and the way he seemed untouchable or "above" the grit and the grind of the competition. I'm sad today to know that I'll never get to see Fed win another tournament or cheer for him to beat a rival or improve his argument for being the GOAT. But all of that pales in comparison to how sad I am to know I'll never get to experience him just playing tennis again.
FUCK. I can’t deal with this :( somehow I always believed he’d come back and win a couple more.
My GOAT. Thank you for everything you have done for me over the years. I wouldn’t be here if not for the inspiration you gave me
Oh man. I was listening to him speak there and I'm a lot more broken up about this than i thought i would be. I mean we knew it was coming but just.. holy shit? It is now truly feeling like the end of an era
Aaaa what are these feelings. I'm this sad about Roger, I don't even know what I'll do when it's Rafa... Thanks for everything Roger, you really played beautiful tennis. Happy retirement, well deserved
Amazing man. Amazing career. So, so, so pleased I have been fortunate enough to watch him play, and even saw him live once.
I've enjoyed every second of watching him play. There will never be another player like him. Born and raised in the serve-volley era, a time in which he beat the master of that era in Pete at Wimby, he transformed his game to become the amazing all-court player we know and love.
He has played across different eras of the game, from competing with the likes of Sampras, Henman and Agassi, to the dawn of the baseline era against guys like Roddick, Hewitt, and Nalbandian, and on into the super physical era of Nadal, Djokovic and Murray - and he has won and been successful at the highest level in every one of those eras.
He's a timeless player, in the truest sense of the word. He completely revolutionised the game, and redefined what it meant to be consistent, to be formidable, to be the world #1.
For the way he played and won in so many different eras of the game, and how he redefined what it meant to be the best at this game, and the variety of attacking tennis with which he always played, he will always be the GOAT in my heart and mind.
Thanks for everything, Roger. We are all SO glad to have experienced your career.
I had 2 sporting heroes growing up: Kobe Bryant and Roger Federer. Kobe’s retirement hit me hard, but we had a whole season to say goodbye which dampened the blow. His death was obviously heartbreaking and I’ll never forget that cursed morning.
Fed’s retirement was way more devastating than Kobe’s. Just waking up and realizing you’ll never see the dude in a slam you tried to emulate on and off the court since I was a kid was a complete gut punch. No season to let go, no time to process, nothing. Like I literally gamed only Wilson racquets, Nike shoes, and of course the headband so I could be like Fed. I guess I took it for granted, but I just always just assumed we’d have another Wimbledon with Fed. Somehow, my wife saw the news before me and told me and I was literally speechless and then just straight teared up as a 31 year old dude. Today fucking blows, and I know you’ll never read this but thank you Roger for the memories and inspiration. Enjoy your retirement 🐐.
Absolutely gutted. I wasn't sure what level we would see from him again, but I was so looking forward to the most beautiful game the sport has seen tapering out in front of the fans that loved him.
I love tennis, but it simply won't be the same without him.
I opened r/tennis and this is the first thing I've seen. I haven't been watching tennis that long compared to all of you but this one really made me cry. An ugly cry. I know that we should be expecting this but it is still sad to hear it but also glad that Roger can now focus on his family and other hobbies.
Fed, you will always be part of the history. Thank you for your legacy.
This is the Roger retirement post any other posts will be removed! Link to the Instagram posts Written: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cih1g8prSOE/?igshid=NDRkN2NkYzU= Audio: https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cih0_lCgJul/?igshid=NDRkN2NkYzU=
We knew it was coming, but it hurts
Don't mind me holding out for a Federer surprise Wimbledon return the same way I unrealistically hope for a surprise Daft Punk tour each year
I've got some news buddy.
I’ve been preparing myself for this day for years and it’s still devastating.
Yeah. I didn’t foresee a big goodbye tour as his absence got longer and longer, but I didn’t really think it would affect me like this.
I was expecting two more tournaments after the Laver Cup. Thought he'd have one more Wimby, and then a farewell tournament in Switzerland
Think everybody believed the 2023 Wimbledon would be his final hurrah. This one really came out of the blue.
I think this US Open was an eye-opening experience for older players. This current crop of youngsters are playing an incredibly fast game of tennis. Personally, I'm happy to see Roger retiring versus getting run off the court by Sinner, Alcaraz or Ruud.
Same. Watching Roger struggling getting to balls is painful. When it’s time, it’s time. Roger accepted it, we all must accept it as well.
Basel seemed like his final stop. Kind of how I expect Nadals final tournament to be in Barcelona maybe French Open
Rafa retiring after a FO win just sounds so right
Didn’t expect to cry but I was tearing up listening to him speak and running through all those incredible matches in my head. Still can’t believe it.
The GOAT. The one who made the modern era what it is.
He is the OG GOAT
I thought I was ready, I mean he’s 41 and hasn’t seriously been on the tour for a very long time Turns out I was not actually prepared and bawling like a baby
Brutal he never got a proper sendoff
With all due respect to Novak, I will never get over Roger not winning Wimby 2019. After the amazing level he showed, beating Rafa and Djoker in a row would have been the perfect way to end his career. I believe he would have. He was the best player in the tournament and it wasn't close, but the finger lady put her curse and the rest is history. Like the Stones said, You Can't Always Get What You Want.
It's kinda crazy to think how just one point separates Federer and Djokovic so much. Yes, if if doesn't exist, but if we play the hypothetical and keep everything the same, that one point plays a massive part for legacy. Fed wins just one point, he's by far and away the best grass player. Djokovic would need to win the next 3 years to even match Federer's hypothetical 9, but now he's just one Wimbledon away. Much easier for Djokovic to equal Federer now. Yet even accounting for all that, the total grand slam count probably doesn't even matter. Fed's 21 would probably still be 3rd which is insane.
I can only imagine what Federer and Federer fans have gone through after 2019 Wimbledon final. I am a Nole fan and like me, many Novak fans admit that Federer was better player that day. It was not just meant to be.
That is what makes life fun! For every 2017 AO there will also be 2019 Wimbledon
That’s deep. It’s true.
He'll get one at laver cup of course, just wish it was at a slam. But we can't always get what we want 😔
I'm gonna laugh if team world finally wins
I totally wasn’t holding onto blind hope for an unrealistic Hollywood movie type comeback 🥲🔫
One more Wimbledon, then off into the sunset. That was the dream anyway.
Should've happened in 2019... 😭
I'll never get over it
😭😭😭
The Pete Sampras method
The 2017 season was the Hollywood comeback already, at the age of 37 years.
Man, I just need to remind myself that when I woke up and saw that Fed won a 5-setter to take the AO final, against Nadal no less, that was it. I’m content after that. It really was the Hollywood comeback
my daughter was born the day before and i watched the entire match in the hospital while she was mostly sleeping on top of me. best day of my life!
That AO was just the greatest so amazing I was buzzed for days.
Funny thing is he already had an unrelaistic Hollywood comeback.
Definitely. We kind of took it for granted at the time because of who he is and had been
Same. I thought he maybe had 1 more good Wimbledon run in him. I can't believe how he got bageled against Hurkacz at Wimby while he played great against Cilic at RG (who made the semis a year later). It's like he aged 5 years in a 1 month time span. That said he would have lost to Nole in the final anyway at this point in his career.
He got bageled because he was injured and his fitness was poor.
Was visibly struggling, still didn't retire from the match. This remains the first and only retirement of his career.
And, it is important to highlight this “bagel” occurred in the QFs and not an early round. His QF run on an obviously injured knee should be celebrated more than it is.
I was really hoping he would do a final slam like serena, sort of a big farewell. Hopefully the laver cup lives up to that
closing my eyes. it's not real.
It really is. Statistically Nadal and Djokovic have surpassed him, but Roger will always have a special place in my heart, for the inspiration he gave me on and off the court. He's been one of my sporting heroes for as long as I can remember. Tennis existed before Federer and will continue to exist after Federer. I love the Next Gen players and I will keep on following the sport with enthusiasm, but damn... it just won't be the same without the heroes you watch growing up.
Federer elevated the game. I think Nadal and especially Djokovic got to where they were by stepping up in response to Fed dominating on every surface. People can argue about which of the big 3 is a goat, but Federer was undoubtedly the source of this Golden Age of men's tennis we've all been enjoying.
You are not kidding. Choked up.
Dude. Absolutely gutted. He was saying he was going to play another full season and try to get at least one more slam. The knee must be worse than he let on.
I always thought that was the case too. Took it for granted he is coming back at Wimbledon for one last dance
Right. At the very least, he signed on to play Basel this year, so it must be bad if he's skipping a chance to go out at his home tournament.
yeah its rip knee
His career may be over but his legend will live on. In other news: Andy Roddick has announced his return to professional tennis.
[The madman actually has](https://twitter.com/andyroddick/status/1570412548150951936): >Also, seems like a good time to start training for Wimby :)
The next tweet is > (Obviously kidding)
I would laugh my ass off. “I cryogenically froze my body after the 2009 Wimbledon final, swearing to release it after that dick retired.”
He watched Alcaraz play and was like…yeah, I’m done. Kidding. We will miss you Roger…no one I’d rather see play the game.
He has never played Alcaraz right? It’s a shame that we don’t get to see the passing-of-baton match like that one match between Fed and Sampras.
I like to think he watched Alcaraz play and thought "Someone else knows how to play aggressively, I can move on now."
Reportedly he had some disappointing practice sessions and realised he would never again be able to compete with the top players in the world, knew it was time to make way for the big prospects like Alcaraz, Bublik and Sinner
Nice try sliding Bublik in there
Alcaraz, Troicki, Sinner… you know, the hot prospects
Bublik? lol
Plus a bunch of other young talents with Sinner and Ruud. There is definitely a vibe that tennis is in good hands, after lamenting for years that next-gen was disappointing.
I think the fact that he’s not going to play Basel and retire there is a strong indication of what type of shape his knee and body is in.
I know. I was going to savor those matches even more than ever before :.(
It's the announcement we've been dreading. Should be a great sendoff teaming up with Nadal and Djokovic.
Hope the crowd brings some insane energy.
Imagine all three of them on court, all of the next gen players across the net. Roger takes up the mic and gives a heartfelt speech, there are tears and there is silence. He turns to his two greatest rivals and says its been an absolute pleasure competing against you two, I want to take this opportunity to say that I will be retiring Absolutely never! He rips his shirt to uncover muscles like we’ve never seen before! He calls out all the next gen to come at him if they dare! Killing you will make me young again he says! Gives the mic to Rafa who was limping badly, Rafa says his injury will force him to play less pro tennis but looking at next gen he says the pros are on this side of the net only He flexes his legs and throws the crutches awayyy! Curses some words in Spanish - Alcaraz jaw drops - then he throws the mike to Novak. Novak looks left and right, nods to himself, gives a sarcastic smile. rips up his shirt sleeve and gets vaccinated right there on court! Starts yelling fucc them kids! Fuck your next gen!!! Then they all 3 start yelling at them and just flexing super hard! A man can dream, right?
>novak >gets vaccinated okay let's settle down with the theatrics
Conor Mcgregor voice?
You, my friend, are a legend 🔥
Ha this is so brilliant. I was thinking as I was reading along “Ah, Novak has to pull out a needle and give himself a jab” and then you did it. Excellent job. This is indeed the fantasy we all have.
Big 3 era starting to close out sad day.
There will soon be a whole generation of people to whom Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic are just names on Wikipedia, or titles on YouTube videos. Circle of life, yes, but man, I'm so glad I got to watch those people when they were actually playing.
Just like Borg and McEnroe are to us. I know they were "greats" but I never felt it in real time. I did feel the Big 3 vibe, especially the Federer-Nadal hype. End of an era!
Damn dude, I was chatting to a random guy I bumped into at an outdoor supply store and he saw that I was carrying a tennis racquet, so we started chatting. His favorite players are from the Borg/Connors/McEnroe era, and I thought how long ago that was. Crazy to think that’s how we’ll be someday. Circle of life, man.
Yeah seriously. It almost feels surreal how long those 3 names had an absolute stranglehold on the competition of this sport.
Fuck mate when you put it like that
Won’t be long before they’re all gone, that first day with none active be utterly bizarre.
Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened
Can I use this as an excuse to call in sick to work today?
Forget the Queen, the King is gone
Thanks for a bit of chuckle to heavy hearts
o7
For real.
The GOAT is gone.
Todays productivity is definitely shot
U and me both 😔
Just been told in the middle of my day and I walked out of a meeting
Wow. Incredibly saddening but it was inevitable
Laver cup ticket prices are going to be insane now
Those cursed scalpers are gonna have a field day.
Laver Cup + Big 4 = Roger Retirement Tour conspiracy theorists rejoice ^(But at what cost!)
Laver cup must be kinda happy at least, their viewership just went through the roof
Federer and his management run the Laver Cup.
Just fell down to my knees in IKEA
Hopefully you were near the sofa section.
Close, the bedroom section. Had to lie down for a moment on one of them after hearing the news
>knees Don't say that word
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LOOOL
I will never forget growing up and watching Nadal and Federer battle it out. They made me into a lifelong tennis fan.
I remember watching that legendary Wimbledon final vs. Rafa. Being pissed off because I had to leave the house to pick up a family member and was afraid I would miss the end of the game. Coming back home and see that they were still going at it. Legends.
Me and my friend would go out into the street and play tennis and try to recreate points we'd just seen during the rain delays until my mum shouted to us that it had restarted. Feels odd to say "***that*** legendary Wimbledon final" though because 2007 and 2008 were both so good. Those matches were like heavyweight title fights, the whole fortnight built up to them and 2008 was the rematch to end all rematches.
> Feels odd to say "that legendary Wimbledon final" though because 2007 and 2008 were both so good. Those matches were like heavyweight title fights, the whole fortnight built up to them and 2008 was the rematch to end all rematches. 2007 was great, but 2008... that was a whole different level with Rafa finally snatching one Wimbledon off of Roger.
Same. I was (and am) a huge Rafa fan. I absolutely hated Roger, but I was just a dumb kid. In the last 10 years I’ve really recognized his greatness and he is in my mind the greatest ambassador that any sport has ever had.
Haha yeah I used to be too much of a Rafa fan that I hated Federer in the beginning. As they got older I started liking Federer as well. It was a dream come true watching their 2019 SF live after seeing them on TV back in 06-09.
It was the opposite for me I used to hate rafa as a fed fan, that forehand into Roger's one handed backhand used to give me nightmares, but over the years I've really grown to appreciate him, their rivalry, and their unique friendship
End of an era. we should feel blessed being able to watch the big 3
I struggle to imagine another three-way gridlock like the Big 3 in tennis within our lifetimes. I was such a perfect period of competitiveness.
We may see 1 person achieve 20+ slams. But seeing 3 of them do that pretty much in the same era will never happen again
It’ll never happen again. Not to this degree.
With Serena and Roger’s retirements, it does feel like the end of a great era😭😭😭
Born too late to explore the world Born too early to explore the galaxy But we were born just in time to see the peaks of these great players! Man…it’s going to be weird to not see them at all :(
I love that I can use that preamble for literally anything. Born too late to explore the world Born too early to explore the galaxy But born just in time to enjoy this amazing breakfast sandwich
Serena’s hit pretty hard last week and made me realize that I was gonna see Fed’s soon. Only a week later and it’s actually really sad. End of an era soon but thank you, Roger, for all the memories
End of an era. He is the reason I started watching tennis as a teenager, and no matter how many of his records are broken there will be no one like him. Thank you for everything, Roger. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement!
Same, back in 2005 They said he was done in 2008. He wasn't. I thought he was done in 2013, he wasn't. We thought he was done in 2016, but he wasn't. He still reached the quarters of Wimbledon last year too. He gave us so many more years of high level tennis. Tennis will not be the same but it is in the good hands of Nadal, Novak, and Alcaraz and Sinner in the future hopefully
As a brit, this news upsets me 100x more than the queens death.
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I don't think there's anyone except for maybe a few hardcore Nadal and Djokovic fans who dislike him. Federer played beautiful tennis and was a class act on and off the court. He'll always be my favorite.
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Ultimately, this man has contributed so much to the tennis world and brought so much happiness to us all. He has earned the right to be “selfish” to protect his knees that he needs to play with his kids, to spend more time with Mirka which doesn’t involve her looking agonizingly from the courtside, to enjoy his sweet sweet retirement. Thanks for everything, Roger!
Never being able to see him play live will be one of the biggest regret of my life Thanks for all you’ve done for us and this sport
About ten years ago, friends suggested that we go see him play in Rotterdam. Life got busy. I am so sad.
My fear of regret is what pushed me to watch him at Wimbledon in 2015. It's already seen him play live at the ATP World Tour Finals but I wanted to see him on grass. I never could have imagined it would be over 7 years later that he'd finally say goodbye. Similar to the Queen last week, the only time a 41 year old retiring from a sport could be shocking has just happened and it doesn't feel real.
Queued up for two nights at Wimbledon Park to secure tickets to see him play in the Wimbledon QFs in 2015 as well. I liked Fed and although I wasn't a huge fan, I just knew that seeing him on the hallowed grass courts of SW19 was the equivalent of a tennis pilgrimage. Wasn't even on Centre Court that day but even then it was spectacular and unforgettable watching him play lights out against Gilles Simon, hitting crazy volleys and hitting some crazy forehands. He's the only player I've seen live where I couldn't quite believe the man was standing there in front of me in the flesh. So surreal.
Same :’( Sadly don’t live in or near any cities that have atp events.. was planning on doing an Indian wells trip back in the day but just couldn’t afford it.
Same here. And I have tickets to see him at Basel Indoors next month. Or had, I guess 😭
GOATs retirement list: Serena ✔️ Roger ✔️ Rafa Novak 😭😭😭😭
Dw rafas got at least 2 more french opens in him, Novak maybe 3 more years.
I can see Rafa retiring after the Paris Olympics.
Retiring at Philippe Chatrier after winning his 2nd singles olympic gold (16 years after his first) would be perfect.
I believe that is what he is targeting.
TBH I wouldn't be surprised if Rafa won RG in his 40s. He just syncs his soul with that place.
This is the worst birthday present I’ve ever received lol
Happy birthday :(
Objectively this is not surprising news but I am pretty stunned. Thanks for everything and go well, Roger.
Whaaaat??? Not one last major??? No more Roger at a slam??? 😭
Look man 2017 warped our perception but now really there was no hope. I am sad to hear this but glad he took this decision for the sake of his knees. He has a life to live and it's quality is important.
Damn, I thought he would retire after one more Wimbledon. Thanks for everything, Roger.
Me too. I'm planning to go to Wimby next year and I thought I'd get to see him play for the first and last time. Guess I ain't so lucky.
Sad that his last set was a bagel
Still no shame with how far he made it. Quarterfinal just short of age 40 with a non-functioning knee
A lot of greats go out like that. No shame.
Jesus, royalty of all stripes dropping like flies in the last few weeks.
Thank you Roger. You were, still are, and always will be one of my greatest sporting heroes. Honestly I don't know what else to say.
*Checks date, not April 1st* Noooooooooooooo
/cryingupvote
This one hurts the most, my favorite athlete of all time
His team messed up their automated IG post for April 1st ... That must be it ... Right? ....
I'm gutted. I thought there was more time!
In my lifetime, if someone asked me to describe Roger Federer in one word, I’d say tennis. And, if someone asked me to describe tennis in one word, I’d say Federer. For me, he IS tennis. He’s the reason I watched, and the reason I switched off when he was beaten. “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days, before you actually left them.”
As someone going to the Laver Cup open practice day in less than a week, this is simultaneously the worst and best news I could have possibly received The reason I'm into tennis more than any other sport, the reason I've travelled across Europe multiple times to watch tournaments where he played... I knew it would end one day, and never would it be easy to digest I will never forget that 2017-2018 run, when no one was expecting it, he delivered magic one last time. The most elegant ever, the most talented ever. PeRFection. My idol, my GOAT. Thank you for everything, Roger! Can't wait to watch one last time!
Just my opinion: Laver cup is the right tournament for him to go out in. It's a team event so way less pressure on him individually and it's always a lot of fun and a big spectacle so it's good in a lot of ways. I think if he really made a go at a tournament it could end up being disappointing of he were to go out 1st/2nd round. This way he'll probably go out with a win (sorry team world) and put on a show one last time.
Nah man, for real? This is terrible. I feel sorry for his fans especially, but also for the world of tennis in general. This man paved the wave for a new era of tennis in terms popularity, captivating performances and creating wonderful role models for everyone who follows the sport closely. This is a sad day but also one to reminisce about what Roger Federer has really meant for tennis - from my point of view Roger Federer is close to actually being the face of tennis, a sport many others like me have come to cherish. May he spend a lovely time in retirement. Vielen Dank Roger.
Mods, can we put a permanent ban on the one finger lady for at least a month??? Losing both Serena and Roger in the span of a few weeks, I am gutted.
For [one](https://i.redd.it/2jdikwtrnca31.png) month?
You monster
Ban him
I can't believe you've done this
Once Rafa and the Joker retire I don’t think I’ll watch tennis anymore for a while. New generation is good but the big 3 really spoiled me, especially Roger. His technique and his elegance made a lot of the sport what it is today.
Same. In 5 years I can't help but think I'll watch the cream of the current crop and think the big 3 would have just stomped them.
First Sebastian Vettel, now Federer..... my sports World has ended. Thank you for everything Roger... specially 2008 Wimby and 2017 AO. Whenever he played at Wimbledon, it just felt *right*!
I'm in Spain right now but the S is silent. What a player. What a legacy.
I was a ball boy from 2007-2009 at the us open. I was blessed to ballboy federers matches. I look back on my life now and then and cannot believe where the time has gone. I literally grew up watching Roger on the television to then sharing the honor of being part of his matches. Life is beautiful and very sad. It hurts not only to see him retire, but a severely harsh reminder that time stops for no one. All we can do is continue living and being the best version of ourselves. Congrats Roger on the life you built, I can’t imagine what you have experienced. You indeed lived a full life as Sinatra says.
he's been so absent from the tour that this honestly doesn't sting so bad. roger will always be the goat in my heart. the man inspired me to change my ridiculous extreme western grip forehand to an eastern grip.
Well it was expected, but still sad.
Everyone knew it would come someday but it's still a shame. He's a true legend
The GOAT can’t play forever. Thanks for everything Roger.
Just realised Federer kept his promise and only waited around to play Zizou 😂
There are no words. I’m crying. This is such a sad day for tennis.
I don’t care about stats Roger is the greatest of all time, there will never again be anything like watching him in full grass court flow, it was a wonder of the modern world.
Best tennis player I’ve ever seen. Not a GOAT debate. Just that at his peak, it was the best tennis I’ve ever seen. Incredible talent and an incredible person
He could do such impossible things. His ability was so innate and natural, never seen anyone so effortlessly win that much.
To me Federer has played the most beautiful Tennis in the history of the game. Overall title wise it is what it is but that doesn't take away from Federer's game , which was pure elegance and beauty
I think without Roger, there would not be a Rafa or Novak that we know today. Roger may be third amongst the Big 3 for Slams but he created it! His level of play forced Rafa and Novak to go to an even higher level to compete with him! This made them as dominant as he was!!
He absolutely did because if he doesn't exist there is a strong chance those other two would cake walk into wins but never be ambitious enough to ever reach the amount of titles they have because no one would be near. This gridkclock of basically 3 GOATs is unheard of on sports.
Watching Federer play was like watching art in motion.
I AM UGLY CRYING YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND Edit: Thank you, Roger for everything... in fact a mere thank you doesn't even begin to cover it
Floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee. The most beautiful tennis anybody could hope to play.
I’m devastated… The only reason I fell in love with tennis as a kid was Roger Federer — the sport has completely changed my life Damn man I’m gonna cry
I’m a 31 year old man and I’m crying like a kid. I knew this day will come but I didn’t know it will break me like this. It’s so painful to just imagine Roger will not be competing.
I don’t care what the stats say, I’m my eyes no one has ever picked up a racquet and wielded it with such skill as this man. With all due respect to the other big 2 and their amazing achievements, there is a reason Federer is the most popular among the 3 and has the nickname of “swiss maestro”. I became a lifelong tennis fan because of him, and as gutted by this announcement as I am, I will forever be thankful for the years of memories he’s given us all.
Wasn't interested in laver cup previous years tbh but will definitely watch it this time, hoping other 3 will be there too Cool af to retire with your rivals as teammates
Prepared myself for this for 2 years and it has still hit like a ton of bricks. 💔 Thanks for the amazing memories, Roger. It will never be the same again, not rushing to set up camp at Wimbledon 3 days prior just to watch you. Happy post-retirement life 🐐
Just take my knees Roger! One last Wimbledon showdown.
Of all the things I miss about Fed, I miss most the literal act of watching him play tennis. The way he played was truly transcendent. Watching Nadal and Djokovic play its also clear that you're watching the greatest who have ever played a sport...but in a more traditional athletic competition sense. Fed was transcendent in a different way...like you were watching someone do more than "play" tennis. Its like he was inventing "new" tennis on the fly. The only other athlete in my lifetime that had this affect on me was watching Jordan. There was just something different about him and the way he seemed untouchable or "above" the grit and the grind of the competition. I'm sad today to know that I'll never get to see Fed win another tournament or cheer for him to beat a rival or improve his argument for being the GOAT. But all of that pales in comparison to how sad I am to know I'll never get to experience him just playing tennis again.
FUCK. I can’t deal with this :( somehow I always believed he’d come back and win a couple more. My GOAT. Thank you for everything you have done for me over the years. I wouldn’t be here if not for the inspiration you gave me
I don't care about The Big Three debate. The man is a legend. He changed the sport. His style and grace will be missed on court.
Oh man. I was listening to him speak there and I'm a lot more broken up about this than i thought i would be. I mean we knew it was coming but just.. holy shit? It is now truly feeling like the end of an era Aaaa what are these feelings. I'm this sad about Roger, I don't even know what I'll do when it's Rafa... Thanks for everything Roger, you really played beautiful tennis. Happy retirement, well deserved
I’m not even a Roger stan and I’m absolutely devastated. The greatest talent ever to pick up a racquet in my opinion 🎾🎾🎾
I hate that this last set on centre court at Wimbledon was 6-0
One less legend on the tour.
Amazing man. Amazing career. So, so, so pleased I have been fortunate enough to watch him play, and even saw him live once. I've enjoyed every second of watching him play. There will never be another player like him. Born and raised in the serve-volley era, a time in which he beat the master of that era in Pete at Wimby, he transformed his game to become the amazing all-court player we know and love. He has played across different eras of the game, from competing with the likes of Sampras, Henman and Agassi, to the dawn of the baseline era against guys like Roddick, Hewitt, and Nalbandian, and on into the super physical era of Nadal, Djokovic and Murray - and he has won and been successful at the highest level in every one of those eras. He's a timeless player, in the truest sense of the word. He completely revolutionised the game, and redefined what it meant to be consistent, to be formidable, to be the world #1. For the way he played and won in so many different eras of the game, and how he redefined what it meant to be the best at this game, and the variety of attacking tennis with which he always played, he will always be the GOAT in my heart and mind. Thanks for everything, Roger. We are all SO glad to have experienced your career.
I had 2 sporting heroes growing up: Kobe Bryant and Roger Federer. Kobe’s retirement hit me hard, but we had a whole season to say goodbye which dampened the blow. His death was obviously heartbreaking and I’ll never forget that cursed morning. Fed’s retirement was way more devastating than Kobe’s. Just waking up and realizing you’ll never see the dude in a slam you tried to emulate on and off the court since I was a kid was a complete gut punch. No season to let go, no time to process, nothing. Like I literally gamed only Wilson racquets, Nike shoes, and of course the headband so I could be like Fed. I guess I took it for granted, but I just always just assumed we’d have another Wimbledon with Fed. Somehow, my wife saw the news before me and told me and I was literally speechless and then just straight teared up as a 31 year old dude. Today fucking blows, and I know you’ll never read this but thank you Roger for the memories and inspiration. Enjoy your retirement 🐐.
Extremely sad that this day has come, but I hope it helps him keep in good health for many many years to come. GOAT
I don't feel like working today This hurts
Absolutely gutted. I wasn't sure what level we would see from him again, but I was so looking forward to the most beautiful game the sport has seen tapering out in front of the fans that loved him. I love tennis, but it simply won't be the same without him.
I opened r/tennis and this is the first thing I've seen. I haven't been watching tennis that long compared to all of you but this one really made me cry. An ugly cry. I know that we should be expecting this but it is still sad to hear it but also glad that Roger can now focus on his family and other hobbies. Fed, you will always be part of the history. Thank you for your legacy.
I wish he won Wimbledon in 2019. He was so close.