At the age of 41, Roger Federer decided to retire from the tour and no longer participate in the matches. Tennis is inseparable from the Swiss, considered one of the greatest athletes of all time. In addition to Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan and Tom Brady, Federer is also there. A born king, characterized by his aristocratic style and the fact that he shone on the pitch, he won the sympathy and idol of his fellow athletes and became a role model for the new generation.

Roger Federer has managed to create something that very few out there can achieve. RF is its own brand name and directly related to the sport. Because when you hear his name, you immediately understand that this is someone great in the sport. Even if you’ve never watched tennis in your life, you know who the legendary Roger is.

The day the tears on the pitch brought him into adulthood

Roger Federer has already taken his first steps, in 1998 he faced then world No. 1 Andre Agassi but was eliminated in the first round of the Swiss Indoors, a tournament where he received a wild card. The first final took place in Marseille two years later, where he faced fellow countryman Marc Rosset but lost in a thrilling match (2-6, 6-3, 7-6).

The game ends, the young Federer gave all his energy and the smile he had before the game started turned into tears. He couldn’t stand the long haired Roger with his hair in a braid, he hadn’t yet embraced the bow tie, a style he never really parted with. She’s desperate, she can’t take it and she’s crying. He lost the tie break in a final where he took the lead.

He seems resigned, has no self-confidence, but at some point his compatriot comes and encourages him. “Roger, don’t worry, you win another time”. Rosset had seen the young Roger’s spark and many titles in all categories followed, as well as 20 Grand Slams.

Projects, days and the mythical zero

Federer became a king who never gave up his racquet. But over time, his body had a different opinion. Time is ruthless and affects them all. Federer retires from the major theaters after 1526 singles games with a record of 1251-275 and 223 doubles games with a record of 131-92.

Federer has won a total of 20 Majors. In total, he won Wimbledon eight times, was a multiple winner of that tournament, six times the Australian Open, five times the US Open and once Roland Garros, while winning a total of 103 titles and finishing second on the relevant list at the Open of the era.

Amidst all these records, masterful victories and celebrations, one achievement lies well buried. Significant for his passion, his talent, his self-sacrifice, but also for the work he has done with his body has never retired from an official game. An achievement to which we must salute as we have seen world-class athletes time and time again. But Federer never.

Federer is the sport itself

The 41-year-old tennis legend is no exaggeration to say he is tennis himself. Big players like Sampras, Agassi, McEnroe, Laver, Lendl may have passed in front of him, but Federer started the sport. He made it more popular, more popular, he became a likable character and his coexistence at the highest level with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic made this symbiosis even more exciting. Every hero in a story needs rivals to increase their stature, Federer had Nole and Rafa creating an epic trio of athletes full of talent, hard work and unquenchable fire.

As the author Andre Scala mentions in the book “The Silences of Federer” properties: “Federer focuses on the tennis scene. He sees himself as part of this sport. This also means that he belongs to his own history (that is, tennis): He plays tennis from a historical point of view.”

Roger Federer hails from a country that had no connection to sport at the highest level. But he found himself at a time when one of the protagonists of the sport was Swedish rock star Bjorn Borg and he rocked the sport with his explosive style.

Sweden also had nothing to do with tennis, when you open the doors you can tell. In Switzerland, two players who became symbols played a leading role in the years that followed. Federer for the men and Martina Hingis for the women. Suddenly the top players were born in a small country without a tennis tradition in the following years. With Hingis, Federer has created a new generation, where we are today and with her Belinda Bencic who won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

When he became an executioner in his Indalma

His first major performance, of many to come, was at Wimbledon in 2001, when he faced his idol and British Grand Slam winner, Pete Sampras, at the age of 19. Federer was a kid up to that point who broke down very easily, his blood… boiled and he threw tantrums. Against Sampras, however, the No. 1 put on a quality performance, becoming the executioner at his own pace and subduing him in five sets. In the quarterfinals, however, he was eliminated by Englishman Tim Henman in four sets.

Federer had already shone and the first Grand Slam wasn’t long in coming. Long-awaited recognition came in 2003 when he won the Major at the All England Club. By the age of 22, more aware of his gift and himself, he had decided to flick the switch. Federer didn’t want to throw away his talent and confidently won Wimbledon against his much more experienced opponent. Greco-Australian Mark Philippoussis.

A thirsty conductor who refused to be swept away by the waves

Federer wanted to live tennis history, he succeeded. Considered by many to be the GOAT, pretty much everyone calls him King Roger. To get to the top and be the best in your field, you have to want it more than anyone, be talented and be hardworking. You should have this puzzle connected.

It’s not enough to be nice, you have to be grounded. What distinguished Federer was the composure that characterized his game. The legendary Roger did not express himself in his game after the first Grand Slam, he became a cold conductor, he never showed his emotions on the pitch, whether he was ahead or behind the score. Federer had an amazing, perhaps superhuman, ability to remain silent and stay focused on his goal.

His goal was victory, but he managed to get many wins with impressive points. Even then we didn’t see any bursts of joy, whether he hit a slice, a dropshot, a passing shot or one of his countless winners. Federer was only happy when the game was over and he had won.

The Swiss was the epitome of diligence, an example of perseverance, a thirsty conductor who was not carried away by the wave of success, not wrinkled by time. Many gifted athletes have become tragic figures in their sport, not just in tennis. But Federer is a genius who hasn’t collapsed under the weight of the world’s expectations. He managed to win 20 Grand Slams with the most recent win being the Australian Open in 2018 where he faced Marin Cilic in the final. It took Nadal and Djokovic time to surpass him, four years to be exact.

Mozart and Metallica at the same time

Federer is a legend known for his elegant style. He didn’t do it to dress up his game, it was part of his game. As writer David Foster Wallace characteristically wrote “Federer is Mozart and Metallica at the same time.”

Watching a Federer match without ever having watched the sport will feel a bit mysterious. It’s like stepping into the New York Opera House to hear a collection of classical music.

Religious affiliation prevails, everyone is devout Charmed no whisper is heard from its rhythm and suddenly, where you least expect it, it offers an unrepeatable spectacle, it changes the tempo, it becomes explosive and suddenly, where you have heard Mozart’s symphony, a won point of its will click and you’ll feel Metallica’s Seek and Destroy ring. That’s what King Federer did on the court “Search and Destroy”, as the song by the legendary heavy metal band is also called.

But there is a noticeable difference compared to other players. Federer shines and exudes respect. He exudes unimaginable respect. When you lose, you’re usually sad and consumed by failure. Something different happened with Federer’s opponents. His opponents shook his hand, often loudly declaring that it was a true honor to lose to him. Federer is an icon for Switzerland, his image can often be seen on maps and travel guides. The press recognizes his worth, his opponents bow to him and he is a source of inspiration for the new generation.

King Federer has retired from the courts but his mark remains on the sport, particularly at the All England Club who defeated the majors in London and now it’s time to take one last bow.

Hail king!