Roger Federer, regarded by many as the greatest male player to wield a tennis racket and who took the sport to new levels during a career spanning more than two decades, will retire after next week`s Laver Cup in London.
The 41-year-old, who won 20 Grand Slam singles titles and re-defined a sport with his artistry and grace, broke the news tennis fans across the world have long feared in a lengthy statement on Thursday.
A knee injury meant he has not played a match since losing at last year`s Wimbledon, although many still hoped he could come back for one last golden farewell.
But he said his age had finally caught up with him.
"As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries," Federer said in an 845-word statement posted on social media.
"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 1,500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognise when it`s 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`s 20 Grand Slam titles rank third all time among men`s players behind only contemporaries Nadal (22) and Djokovic (21).
Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray are set to play together for the first time when they compete Sept. 23-25 as part of Team Europe at the Laver Cup in London. Named after Australian great Rod Laver, the three-day team event, which is run by Federer`s management company, pits six of Europe`s top players against six from the rest of the world.
Tony Godsick, Federer`s agent since 2005, told The Associated Press that Federer had been having issues in his latest recovery from knee surgery.
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