Roger Federer is retiring from professional tennis at the age of 41 after a series of knee operations, closing one of the great careers in sport.

Federer posted what he called a “bittersweet decision” via social media on Thursday, less than a week after 23-time major champion Serena Williams played what is expected to the last match of her career.

Combined, the exits by two of the greatest athletes in their sport’s history represent a significant turning of the page.

Federer will exit after a career in which he won 20 grand slam titles, finished five seasons ranked No.1 and helped create a golden era of men’s tennis with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

“As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form,” Federer wrote on Twitter.

“But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear.”

The news brought emotional tributes from the sport’s greats, headed by Nadal, who said: “I wish this day would have never come.

“It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports people around the world. 

“I said it to you when we spoke and now it’s here. It’s been a pleasure but also an honour and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court.” 

Federer has not competed since Wimbledon in July 2021, and so, in that sense, his news is not all that surprising.

But he had appeared at an event marking the 100-year anniversary of Centre Court at the All England Club this July and said he hoped to come back to play there “one more time.”

He also had said he would return to tournament action in his home country at the Swiss Indoors in October.

In Thursday’s announcement, Federer said his farewell event will be the Laver Cup in London next week.

Federer is married and he and his wife, Mirka — a tennis player, too; they met as athletes at an Olympics — have two sets of twins.

He leaves with a total of 103 tour-level titles and 1251 wins in singles matches, both second only to Jimmy Connors in the Open era, which began in 1968. 

His many records include being the oldest No.1 in ATP rankings history — he returned to the top spot at 36 in 2018 — and most consecutive weeks there (his total weeks mark was eclipsed by Djokovic).

When Federer won his first grand slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, the men’s record for most was held by Pete Sampras, who had won his 14th at the US Open the year before in what turned out to be the last match of the American’s career.

Federer would go on to blow way past that, ending up with 20 by winning eight championships at Wimbledon, six at the Australian Open, five at the US Open and one at the French Open. 

His 2009 trophy at Roland Garros allowed Federer to complete a career Grand Slam.

His serving, forehand, footwork and attacking style will all be remembered. Also unforgettable were his matches against younger rivals Nadal, 36, and Djokovic, 35, who both equalled, then surpassed, Federer’s slam total and are still winning titles at the sport’s four biggest tournaments.

Nadal now leads the count with 22, one ahead of Djokovic.

“I was lucky enough to play so many epic matches that I will never forget,” Federer said in Thursday’s announcement.

“Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt … and now I must recognise when it is time to end my competitive career.”

By Howard Fendrich in New York City

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