Roger Federer's sensational career in professional tennis came to an end in 2022, when the Swiss legend attended his last official Laver Cup event at London's O2 Arena. The former world No.1 certainly cannot complain or have regrets, having been one of the longest-lived athletes of the modern era and having remained competitive for a much longer period of time than expected alongside his eternal rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Serious knee problems led the former Swiss champion to make the decision to retire, although he was still motivated to compete at the highest level and did not mind having to travel around the world. The 20-time Grand Slam champion has always had a sincere love for tennis and it is no coincidence that he has remained attached to the sport that has made him a global icon, appearing in some tournaments on the professional tour in recent years and continuing to follow the matches on TV.
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King Roger needed time
Like all great champions who have made tennis history, Roger needed time to understand the dynamics of professional sport and it is no secret that he had some problems adapting in the early years of his career. The King was not as precocious as Rafa Nadal or Carlos Alcaraz, but he needed a transition period before fully expressing his enormous talent.
During a recent interview with the Swiss newspaper '24 heures', the legend from Basel recalled his difficult beginnings on the professional tour: "The most difficult thing for me was the transition from junior to professional. At first it all seemed fantastic to me, because I had the opportunity to share the locker room with the champions I admired as a child, but then I realized that all that mattered was winning. I didn't always feel comfortable between the constant travels, some unexpected losses and my sensitivity. The period between 18 and 21 was the toughest for me."
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Federer will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport next year.
