By Krishnan
Roger Federer, born on August 8, 1981, is a former professional tennis player from Switzerland who has elevated the sport with his talent, consistency, and artistry. The ATP ranked the 41-year-old Swiss maestro world No. 1 for 310 weeks, including a record 237 straight weeks, and he finished the year as No. 1 five times. He won 20 record Grand Slam singles titles, eight men’s singles Wimbledon trophies, an Open Era record-tying five men’s singles US Open crowns, and a record six year-end championships.
Federer made his ATP debut in 1998 in the Swiss Open Gstaad in his native nation of Switzerland, losing in the first round to Lucas Arnold Ker, and later that year, he won his first ATP match in Toulouse against Guillaume Raoux. He was so driven that he swiftly rose to the top 100 in less than a year (1999). He was quickly climbing the rankings, defeating several ranked and experienced players. Federer went on to win the 2001 Hopman Cup for Switzerland, with the legendary Martina Hingis. The 19-year-old gained even more prominence in the 2001 Wimbledon Quarterfinals, where he played a five-set epic against four-time reigning champion Pete Sampras and stunned the world with what he had under his belt where he made his international breakthrough.
His first Masters final occurred at the 2002 Miami Masters, where he lost to former and future No. 1 Andre Agassi on hard court. Federer won his first Master Series tournament in 2002, the Hamburg Masters on clay, defeating Marat Safin; the victory propelled Federer into the top ten for the first time. Federer won his first Grand Slam singles championship at Wimbledon in 2003, defeating Andy Roddick in the semifinals and Mark Philippoussis in the final.
Federer became the first player to win three Grand Slam singles championships in the same season in 2004. Federer gained a large fan base due to his string of victories over players including Andre Agassi, Ivan Lendl, Marat Safin, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, and others. From there, Federer maintained his steady graceful style of play, winning several titles, tournaments, and records.
Federer ranks high in terms of both his playing style and shot-making ability. His serve is one of the finest of all time, and his forehand is one of the most graceful and efficient shots ever. Add in his volleying abilities and ability to serve and volley, and you have an all-court talent who can thrive in practically any playing situation. Despite his aggressive style of play, Federer adapted to his era’s changing playing circumstances and became a baseline primarily to remain relevant on slowed-down courts.
Federer outperforms his competitors and brings sheer joy to tennis fans and specialists because of his aggressive attitude and graceful playing style, he has maintained his position as the most admired tennis player in the world for at least the past 15 years. He stood out from the rest because of the proper balance of power and touch. For instance, in a time when there were many players with two-handed backhands, Federer continued to smash his one-handed backhand, which is still a stroke that is undervalued, and he also made some adjustments to it with tremendous success towards the end of his career.
Federer participated in 2016 Australian Open and made it to the semifinals before losing in four sets to eventual winner Novak Djokovic. A knee ailment struck Federer the day after he lost to Djokovic. He missed the competitions in Rotterdam, Dubai, and Indian Wells in February and March as a consequence of arthroscopic surgery to repair a damaged meniscus in his knee in early February. After the surgery, he was nervous and unsure about the future of his tennis career, but when he woke up, he discovered that his leg was moving again. He gradually increased the strength in his leg by using crutches to walk, run, leap, sprint, and then play tennis. He then staged a return in 2017, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon (grand slams) and rising to the top of the rankings.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have won the most Grand Slam tournament championships, with Federer coming in third. He is the only male singles tennis player to have advanced to 10 consecutive Grand Slam finals and 31 overall.
At the Olympics in 2008 and 2012, he won gold in men’s doubles and silver in men’s singles, respectively. He has ranked first in the ATP rankings for the second-longest period (310 weeks). He also has the most victories in the annual championships, in which only the top eight players from the previous year are allowed to compete.
From October 14, 2002, until October 31, 2016, Federer maintained a consistent position among the top eight players in the world. However, injuries led him to miss most of the 2016 season.
Federer has been crowned the ITF World Champion five times and the ATP Player of the Year five times. He has received the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award a record 13 times and the ATP Fans’ Favorite award 18 times consecutively.
Roger Federer played his farewell professional match on Friday night (24th September 2022), partnering with his old rival Rafael Nadal in doubles at the fifth edition of the Laver Cup, after 24 years on the ATP Tour, 20 Grand Slam titles, and 103 event triumphs worldwide. Roger Federer announced his retirement in the following letter.
A message from Roger Federer
To my tennis family and beyond,
Of all the gifts that tennis has given me over the years, the greatest, without a doubt, has been the people I’ve met along the way: my friends, my competitors, and most of all the fans who give the sport its life. Today, I want to share some news with all of you.
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 clear. I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1500 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.
This is a bittersweet decision because I will miss everything the tour has given me. But at the same time, there is so much to celebrate. I consider myself one of the most fortunate people on Earth. I was given a special talent to play tennis, and I did it at a level that I never imagined, for much longer than I ever thought possible.
I would like to especially thank my amazing wife Mirka, who has lived through every minute with me. She has warmed me up before finals, watched countless matches even while over 8-months pregnant, and has endured my goofy side on the road with my team for over 20 years. I also want to thank my four wonderful children for supporting me, always eager to explore new places and creating wonderful memories along the way. Seeing my family cheering me on from the stands is a feeling I will cherish forever.
I would also like to thank and recognize my loving parents and my dear sister, without whom nothing would be possible. A big thank you to all my former coaches who always guided me in the right direction…you have been wonderful! And to Swiss Tennis, who believed in me as a young player and gave me an ideal start.
I really want to thank and acknowledge my amazing team, Ivan, Dani, Roland, and particularly Seve and Pierre, who have given me the best advice and have always been there for me. Also Tony, for creatively managing my business for over 17 years. You are all incredible and I have loved every minute with you.
I want to thank my loyal sponsors, who are really like partners to me; and the hard-working teams and tournaments on the ATP Tour, who consistently welcomed all of us with kindness and hospitality.
I would also like to thank my competitors on the court. I was lucky enough to play so many epic matches that I will never forget. We battled fairly, with passion and intensity, and I always tried my best to respect the history of the game. I feel extremely grateful. We pushed each other, and together we took tennis to new levels.
Above all I must offer a special thank you to my unbelievable fans. You will never know how much strength and belief you have given me. The inspiring feeling of walking into full stadiums and arenas has been one of the huge thrills in my life. Without you, those successes would have felt lonely, rather than filled with joy and energy.
The last 24 years on tour have been an incredible adventure. While it sometimes feels like it went by in 24 hours, it has also been so deep and magical that it seems as if I’ve already lived a full lifetime. I have had the immense fortune to play in front of you in over 40 different countries. I have laughed and cried, felt joy and pain, and most of all I have felt incredibly alive. Through my travels, I have met many wonderful people who will remain friends for life, who consistently took time out of their busy schedules to come watch me play and cheer me on around the globe. Thank you.
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