Roger Federer’s retirement still feels like a shock even if it seems inevitable. Citing injuries and his advancing age, the Swiss icon said that next week’s Laver Cup is going to be his final ATP event.
This piece of ATP 2022 news that will certainly affect the ATP 2022 odds arrived a month after Serena Williams also made her decision to retire from tennis, signaling an almost end to a momentous era that has shaped the game of tennis.
“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,” said Federer on his social media post.
“As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. 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.” he added.
Federer ends with 20 Grand Slam titles, a record for 237 consecutive weeks at No. 1, and he helped create a golden era of men’s tennis alongside Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Without further ado, SBOTOP takes a look at some of the top matches of Federer’s long career.
Federer- Moya, Marseille Open 1999 First Round
Entering his second pro year, 17-year-old Roger Federer entered Marseille as a wildcard and he was slated to take on Carlos Moya in the opener, who was the reigning French Open champion.
Federer would upset the top seeded Moya 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-3, which would start his surge to the top as he cracked into the Top 100 for the first time, finishing as the 64th best ATP player.
He would also reach the final in Marseille the following year, but he lost to compatriot Marc Rosset. The young Federer would have to wait a few more years before claiming his first-ever Grand Slam.
Federer- Philippoussis, Wimbledon 2003 Final
After a four-year wait, Roger Federer would finally win his first Grand Slam during the 2003 Wimbledon final against Mark Philippoussis in straight sets, 7-6, 6-2, 7-6.
Federer had all the momentum heading into the final when he dismantled tournament favourite Andy Roddick in the semis. At this point, it felt as if it was only a matter of time for the then-21-year-old Swiss to have his first major crowning moment.
Some would say that Philippoussis should’ve won the final if he cut back on his errors. Still, it was a relatively close match and Federer fell to his knees when the Australian faulted on his backhand for the championship point.
Federer- Roddick, Wimbledon 2009 Final
The Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick in 2009 was a classic. This was basically the finals rematch that everyone was waiting for five years in the making.
Roger Federer owned an 18-2 advantage against Andy Roddick prior to the 2009 final, but that didn’t matter as the American claimed the first set and then had a commanding 6-2 edge in the tiebreaker.
Roddick was keen to take the insurmountable two-set lead but Federer ended up winning the tiebreak en route to getting the second and third sets before eventually sealing the deal in the fifth set. The match ended with a final score of 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 3-6, 16-14.
Federer-Nadal, Australian Open 2017 Final
Saving the best for last is probably the greatest triumph of his career. Roger Federer bested his Big 3 nemesis Rafael Nadal in the 2017 Australian Open final, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, to clinch his 18th Grand Slam.
The two big shots went back and forth throughout this game as both were eager to end their Grand Slam droughts.
Federer came out of the gates hot by only dropping four points to take the opener, while Nadal won convincingly in the second after an early break gave him the 4-0 lead.
In the third set, Federer broke Nadal in his first serve and only dropped a single game to regain the lead. However, a seemingly possessed Nadal fought back in the fourth to force the deciding fifth set.
The fifth set proved to be pivotal for Federer’s resurgence. The then-35-year-old – who wasn’t 100-per cent fit at the time – fell behind but broke back to draw level at 3-3. When the match was at 5-3, Federer had to overcome a 15-40 deficit to reach the championship point. His forehand at the second championship point landed on the line of the alley to which Nadal challenged, but the call was upheld in Federer’s favour following a hawk-eye review.
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