“As many know, the last three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and operations. I worked hard to come back in the best way, but I also know the capabilities and limitations of my body and it is a message that has been very clear lately (…) “I have to recognize that it is time to end my professional career.”he recognized Your Majesty.
Half a year after that announcement, the Basel native surprised his fans with an enigmatic message through the platform X (Former Twitter). The post did not include any statement, only three emojis that sparked hundreds of reactions among his followers. A “coming soon” icon, a tree and curious eyes, said it all and at the same time nothing.
“Yes King!”exclaimed one when imagining a possible return of the 42-year-old tennis player. “We need more clues than that. Give me one more emoji,” another user asked when seeing the message, while a third stated: “I’m waiting for you, my Roger!”
It should be noted that in mid-March, Roger Federer himself explained in a dialogue with GQ Sports why you don’t miss playing tennis: ”I feel really relieved, if that makes any sense. I mean, the last few years have been difficult with my knee. You could feel the end was approaching. Then when it’s all said and done and you’re over the line and you’re officially retired, you take a deep breath and say, ‘Wow, okay, that was good.'”
“At that time, I was suffering. Because I knew it was going to be difficult. The moment of the retreat in London, everything that led up to it. And then, of course, you have flashbacks a little bit later when you see highlights or people ask you, ‘How did you feel at that very moment?’, and they show you a highlight. You’re like, ‘Oh my God, do I really have to watch that again?'” he added.
This message also arrived on the day of 20 years of a match that changed his life: his first match against Rafael Nadalhis historic classic rival throughout his career.
A March 28, 2004During the Miami Masters 1000 they met for the first time, in the third round of the American tournament. At that moment, the 22-year-old Swiss faced a 17-year-old Spaniard who was just breaking into the Top 50. That first duel He was on the side of the Manacorí, who won by a double 6-3.
