Roger Federer’s resolution to retire from tennis is a “unhappy day” for sport, his nice rival Rafael Nadal has mentioned.
Solely Spain’s Nadal, with 22 majors, and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, with 21, have extra males’s Grand Slam singles titles than the 41-year-old.
“Pricey Roger, my pal and rival. I want this present day would have by no means come,” Nadal posted on social media.
“It is a unhappy day for me personally and for sports activities world wide.”
Nadal defeated Federer 24 occasions in 40 matches throughout one of the crucial celebrated rivalries in tennis historical past.
“It has been a pleasure but additionally an honour and privilege to share all these years with you, dwelling so many superb moments on and off the courtroom,” Nadal mentioned.
“We can have many extra moments to share collectively sooner or later, there are nonetheless numerous issues to do collectively, we all know that.
“For now, I actually want you all of the happiness along with your spouse, Mirka, your children, your loved ones and luxuriate in what’s forward of you. I am going to see you in London.”
‘Essentially the most full sport of his era’
Federer made his skilled debut aged 16 in 1998 and received his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003.
The chairman of the All England Garden Tennis Membership, Ian Hewitt, congratulated Federer on a “really exceptional profession”.
“He’ll eternally be celebrated as considered one of our best Wimbledon champions, having lifted the trophy eight occasions from his 22 appearances on the All England Membership,” Hewitt added.
Billie Jean King, a 12-time Grand Slam winner, mentioned Federer is a “champion’s champion”.
“He has essentially the most full sport of his era and captured the hearts of sports activities followers world wide with an incredible quickness on the courtroom and a strong tennis thoughts,” she tweeted.
Former world primary Rod Laver additionally wrote on Twitter: “Thanks for every part Roger. See you quickly.”
Eighteen-time Grand Slam singles champion Martina Navratilova mentioned of Federer’s announcement: “What a heartfelt message, full of affection, life, hope, ardour and gratitude. Which is precisely how Roger performed the sport we love a lot. Thanks, thanks thanks, for all of the magic!”
Stan Wawrinka, who received doubles gold for Switzerland alongside Federer on the 2008 Olympics, mentioned: “Without end grateful for all of the recollections on and off the courtroom. Tennis won’t ever be the identical with out you. Benefit from the subsequent chapter in your life along with your stunning household.”
ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi mentioned: “He spearheaded an unbelievable new period of development and elevated the recognition of our sport. Few athletes have transcended their subject in such a way.”
Former British primary Annabel Croft informed BBC Radio 5 Reside: “Once I consider Roger Federer, I consider his grace, his fluidity, his magnificence, the best way he performed tennis.
“What an ideal icon for the game, he kind of transcended it.
“He was additionally somebody who was extremely robust mentally. For many of the matches he performed he had an enormous large goal on his again. However he appeared to get pleasure from and relish [being] beneath stress.”
US Open champion and males’s world primary Carlos Alcaraz tweeted that Federer “has been considered one of my idols and a supply of inspiration”, whereas the very best ranked feminine participant, Iga Swiatek, thanked Federer for every part he had executed for the game of tennis.
Former Swiss Davis Cup captain Claudio Mezzadri referred to Federer as “rather more than only a tennis participant”.
“It is an unbelievable profession, he performed for twenty-four years. He performed greater than 1,500 matches. It is one thing unimaginable to suppose. He was such a pleasant man, he was nice to observe with the magnificence and magnificence he had, and nonetheless has, however he additionally was an ideal man exterior the courtroom,” Mezzadri informed BBC Radio 5 Reside.
