Roger Federer, an honorary member of the ‘Big Three’ of Tennis, has gifted fans with many memorable moments throughout his prolonged career. However, with the passage of time, his time inside the court seems to be coming to a halt sometime soon.
There has been a lot of curiosity about how athletes, who are known for leading a significantly more active life compared to the average person, cope with the post-retirement lifestyle. Now we may have some answers from ‘King Roger’.
Federer credits pandemic for smooth transition to post-tennis life
Roger Federer recently discussed how the pandemic and a knee injury affected his transition from tennis to life after quitting. He battled a knee injury for three years and had to undergo operations, all within the time the world was experiencing the COVID-19-related slowdown.
He spent a lot of time at home during this period, which gave him the chance to get used to life outside of his beloved sport. Despite making a comeback in 2021, he realized that a complete comeback to tennis was not possible after undergoing yet another knee surgery.
Federer expressed relief and contentment with his decision to retire despite the difficulties and unknowns. At the Laver Cup, a rare occasion where he was surrounded by his fiercest competitors, family, and close friends, he felt satisfaction and closure. His conviction that he was no longer required to pursue the competitive drive that characterized his brilliant tennis career was reinforced by this encounter.
Was knee injury the key reason behind Federer’s retirement?
Tennis legend Roger Federer retired due to a recurring knee problem despite having won an amazing 20 Grand Slam titles, including eight Wimbledon wins. Roger Federer admitted that his motivation to play tennis dwindled after his final Wimbledon appearance in 2020 when he lost to Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals.
The persistent knee issue prevented him from competing at the highest level despite his continuous efforts to make a comeback, forcing him to make the agonizing choice to retire.
Roger admitted that the last three years have been difficult for him and that he is aware that his knee problem puts him in a precarious position. Federer’s retirement at the age of 41 brings to a close a remarkable career that has had a lasting impact on tennis.
Despite making the difficult choice, Roger Federer leaves a legacy of excellence, sportsmanship, and passion for the game that should continue to motivate future generations of tennis players and spectators.
