Tennis legend Roger Federer in a surprise post on social media on Thursday revealed that he will be retiring from the sport after next week’s Laver Cup.

The 41-year-old will be leaving the sport behind after winning 20 Grand Slam titles, the third highest of all-time behind his rivals Rafael Nadal, who has won 22, and Novak Djokovic, who has won 21.

Retirement note

“I have played more than 1500 matches over 24 years. 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,” Federer wrote in a post on Twitter. 

“I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the tour,” he wrote. The legend went on to write that his decision was a bittersweet one because he would miss everything the tour had given to him. 

Federer went on to thank his wife for being by his side and for “living through every minute” with him, saying that she had endured his “goofy side on the road” with him and his team for the past 20 years. 

Below is his retirement note in full.

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The grass court expert even thanks his competitors, writing that he was lucky enough to have played “so many epic matches that I will never forget.” He added that through their competition, they “pushed each other” and together “took tennis to new levels.”

Thanking his fans, Federer mentioned how they had provided him with strength and belief and that they had always inspired him whenever he walked into full stadiums, claiming that it was “one of the huge thrills in my life.”

Towards the end of his note, the 41-year-old thanked everyone around the world “who has helped make the dreams of a young Swiss ball kid come true.”

Signing off on his note Federer wrote: “Finally, to the game of tennis: I love you and will never leave you.”

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Legacy

The news comes a shock as many expected the player who dominated on grass courts for years on end to compete in the Swiss Indoors tournament in his home country in October and even perhaps another run at Wimbledon next year. 

However, Federer hasn’t played tennis in over 18 months, ever since he went under the knife for his third knee surgery, shortly after his exit at the Wimbledon quarterfinals last year.

Despite his injuries, he leaves behind a staggering legacy in the world of tennis, his final score card contains: eight Wimbledon wins, six Australian Open wins, a Roland-Garros and five US Open wins. While on tour, he received 103 titles, spent a record 237 weeks as the world’s No.1 ranked player and won an Olympic gold for Switzerland during the tennis doubles event. 

Federer’s retirement is the second from one of the sports’ greats. Earlier this month, 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams announced her retirement after she was defeated in the third round of the US Open.