Roger Federer’s mother has revealed the reason behind the Swiss tennis maestro’s retirement.
The 41-year-old officially stepped away from professional tennis last week at the Laver Cup in London. Federer’s last match was a doubles match, in which he partnered his long term rival and friend, Rafael Nadal.
Federer was unable to go out on a high as he and Nadal lost the match to team world pair Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.
After the match, the tears started to flow as the curtains came down on Federer’s illustrious career. The Swiss was unable to hold in his tears as he reflected on his career and thanked his fans and family.
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The likes of Nadal, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz were all emotional as they listened to Federer’s goodbye interview.
And now, Federer’s mother, Lynette has given her take on the reason behind her son’s retirement.
Lynette said, per Tennis World: “Both Robert and I were dealing for a long time with the idea of Roger Federer's retirement, with the fact that his career was going to end. Not only because of his age, but also because of the various injuries that he had been dragging in recent years.
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“During this process we always kept a little hope, but we soon realised that the right knee was no longer in the ideal conditions for the competition. We were always close to Roger, supporting him in everything.
“I still follow the tennis circuit, but it is true that there are times when you realise that there are things that you are not so aware of, for example, that in his day he won the US Open five consecutive seasons. Life went on and on, until the time comes when you have to stop.”
During his emotional on court interview with former tennis star Jim Courier, Federer said: “It's been the perfect journey. I'd do it all again.
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“The match was special, sure, but it's really everything that happened after.
“Looking around and seeing how everybody got emotional. That's what I will remember: the faces I saw. Rafa was one of them.
“We have been very connected, I feel, especially in the last 10 years. I think we enjoy each other's company, and we have so much to look back on, but also just enjoy spending time together.”
Federer finished his career with 20 Grand Slam titles including a record of eight Wimbledon triumphs.
Topics: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Tennis
Marcus Chan