20-time Grand Slam Champion. 103 Tour Level Titles. 302 weeks at #1.
Roger Federer, 41 years, bid a fond farewell to the sport of tennis last month, at the Laver Cup held in London. Not only did he retire with his greatest career rivals – Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray – by his side, but also with all of his family, including his parents, wife Mirka, and their 4 children, as well as fans who had flown across the world to witness greatness for one last time.
Gritty and nimble, Roger was the one player adored by all – whether fellow players, coaches, retired, other sportspeople, and of course, all the fans from around the globe. This shone through when he won the ATP Fans Favorite Award for 19 straight years, and through all the heartfelt tributes posted globally for him. Though he lost his last doubles match with partner Rafael Nadal, the night after was magical and bittersweet. There was not a dry eye in the O2 Arena; something fans noticed, especially in Rafa (who may have cried as much if not more than Roger himself!)
Humble as can be, Federer never let us forget his roots, where it all started… as a young ball boy in Basel. His unique journey is known to all. Post-retirement, fellow players commented on how one could never tell he was a 20-time Grand Slam Champion if one ever met him, for his humility, gratitude and ‘down to earthedness’. In fact, his children only found out what an icon he was through school – when one of their classmates told them!
To this day, even at 41, Roger holds so many records. Ranging from ‘Most Consecutive Weeks’ at No. 1 (207), to having never retired from a match, to having one at least 1 set through 197 consecutive matches (W/L of 184-10). He is the only man to have gone 4 consecutive years winning 2+ titles, and to have reached 10 consecutive Grand Slam Finals. He was truly unmatched during his prime. Even when not in his prime, he dominated. He holds the record for the ‘Oldest World No 1’ at 36 years, 320 days.
Records aside, it’s globally agreed that Roger Federer was not only a legend of tennis, but of sport in general. He was called a beauty, a balletic performer, who danced across the court, and most commonly ‘poetry in motion’.
He reimagined the game. He transcended sport.
“Sometimes his competitive spirit and drive are overlooked… you don’t get to be that successful just because you have beautiful strokes.”
~ James Blake
