Goodbye Roger

Most people saw it coming, because after all, the Swiss tennis king had not been seen for a long time. Especially during the Corona pandemic (2020-2021), he could no longer shine at tournaments due to injury and age, but had to experience his decline and fall from the ATP world rankings. At some point, it's over for everyone, even for Roger Federer. The fact that he is now declaring his retirement from active tennis at the age of 41 is very astonishing. Probably nobody would have given him such a long time in top tennis. It should not be forgotten that Roger Federer first took the top spot in the world rankings on February 2, 2004 and held this position until August 18, 2008, when he was replaced by the equally well-known and popular Spaniard Rafael Nadal, or "Rafa" for short. So between the first world No. 1 ranking and today, there are a whopping 18 years! In the years from 2008 to 2015, he went head-to-head with fellow champions Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic for the top spot in the world. In particular, the biggest Grand Slam tournament of the year at Wimbledon becomes his great triumph. He manages to overthrow his great role model, the American Pete Sampras, who has won the tournament a total of 7 times. Roger Federer sets a new tournament record with 8 wins at Wimbledon (2003-2007, 2009, 2012 and 2017). Wimbledon is his home, his living room, here he feels at home and with his high game intelligence and excellent opponents he sets the world tennis on a new, not yet known level. Federer shines not only with his always strong serve, but with unimagined moves, fabulous winners and an uncanny will to win. The matches between him and "Rafa" or Djokovic will go down in history. It will be difficult to impossible to ever see such a fascinating player as Roger Federer play again. You can't copy such a genius, you can't learn it, you have it or you don't have it. With the departure of Roger Federer, a formative piece of tennis history now ends, but do not worry, he will remain in the sport, that is already certain, but his playing days are unfortunately finally numbered.