‘I am happy with the little things’: Is Roger Federer hinting at retirement?

Roger Federer last played a competitive tennis match in 2021 at Wimbledon. It ended sourly for the Swiss Master, as Polish Hubert Hurkacz dumped him out in the quarter-finals. It was a spanking unlike any other, as Federer folded dramatically in straight sets, failing to register a game in the third set. Since that 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-0 defeat, the Basel resident has had to undergo his third knee surgery in 18 months, forcing him away from tennis. He did make an appearance at All England Club this season but as part of Centre Court’s centenary celebrations. A serial winner, it is doubtful whether Federer will reach the same levels that propelled him to the top. It is something he has hinted at, further intensifying speculation of retirement.

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Speaking to the Dutch newspaper, Algemeen Dagblad, the 20-time Grand Slam winner said he did not need tennis to bring fulfilment. Instead, it’s the “little things” that bring him joy these days:

“I am a winner lover (sic), but if you’re not competitive anymore, then it’s better to stop. I don’t think I need the tennis. I am happy with the little things, like when my son does something right and when my daughter comes home with a good grade,” quotes NDTV Sports.

“Tennis is part of, but not my entire identity…I want to be and remain successful, and put a lot of energy into business – probably give more than I should sometimes, but that can also be done outside of sports,” he continued.

“I know a professional career can’t last forever and that’s okay…It feels very strange for me not to play Wimbledon this year and to watch it on TV, as I’ve been there every time since 1998. But I’ve been on the road for so long that it was also nice to experience a little more peace and to be in one place more often, which already happened due to the coronavirus,” concludes Federer.

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The Swiss- who turns 41 next month- has fallen out of the ATP rankings for the first time in 25 years. Having not played a tournament since his Wimby exit last season, the ATP has not ranked the former world no. 1.