Reactions to the tennis star’s resignation

Roger Federer’s resignation on Thursday afternoon triggers a sporting earthquake on social networks. Federer shared his significant decision on his Instagram and Twitter channels. The reactions of companions and other sports greats make it clear what an important role Federer played in the tennis world and beyond. The struggle for even clearer words for Federer’s superlative career has begun.

Roger Federer is often referred to as “the greatest of all time”. And what Federer is in men’s tennis applies to Serena Williams in women. It was only a few weeks ago that “The Goat” retired from professional sports at the age of 40. Williams wrote about Federer’s resignation that he had done it just as perfectly as he had won his games. “I’ve always looked up to you and admired you. Our paths have always been so similar, so much the same. You have inspired untold millions and millions of people – including me – and we will never forget that. Welcome to the retired people’s club.

The duels between Federer and the Spaniard Rafael Nadal are legendary. As hard-fought as their duels were, the friendship between the two always seemed harmonious. This also shows Nadal’s reaction to Federer’s resignation. Among other things, the Spaniard wrote: «I wish this day had never come.(. . .) It was a pleasure, but also an honor and a privilege to share all these years with you, so many great moments on and to experience next to the court.» After his elimination in the quarterfinals of the US Open, Nadal announced that he would like to devote his time to other things than tennis.

So far, however, there has been no reaction from Federer’s second major rival of his career, Novak Djokovic.

Federer, the influential

Wimbledon was Federer’s favorite tournament. He was able to win a total of eight times at this prestigious location. And the love is mutual, as the reaction on the tournament’s Twitter channel shows: “We will miss the sight of you on our pitches very much, but all we can say now is that we thank you for the memories and the joy that you have prepared for so many, give thanks.”

The Twitter account of the ATP Tour, the professional tour in tennis, recognized Federer as a player who changed tennis. ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi was quoted in an ATP statement: “Roger’s influence on tennis and the legacy he has built cannot be overestimated. (. . .) Few athletes have survived their discipline in such a way. Roger made us all feel proud and lucky to be part of the same sport.”

In another tweet, the ATP added a picture of Federer that best represents the emotions of the tour on his resignation.

Federer, the idol

American tennis player Coco Gauff thanks Federer on her Instagram channel for the advice he has given her over the years. «Thank you for being the best role model for so many. Thank you for everything.” At just 18 years old, Gauff is already number 8 in the world.

The current number 1 in men’s tennis, Carlos Alcaraz, called Federer his idol and a source of inspiration. The 19-year-old was the youngest player ever to win the US Open last weekend. With that, the exceptional talent heralded a changing of the guard by the new generation. The age difference between Federer and Alcaraz is 22 years.

The Czech professional player and former two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova summed up what the Swiss tennis pro means to active players: “Roger – you have always been a great inspiration for me. Your elegance, your grace, your beautiful game. (. . .) Tennis won’t be the same without you!”

For the Swiss tennis player Belinda Bencic, Roger Federer was not just a great idol who accompanied almost her entire career. The two were also playing partners. In 2018 and 2019 they won the Hopman Cup in mixed doubles. When Bencic won gold at the Olympics, she dedicated the medal to Roger Federer, who did not travel to Tokyo due to injury. Tunisian tennis player and US Open finalist Ons Jabeur wrote under Bencic’s post: “Can I borrow a photo? I will photoshop myself. I don’t have a picture with him.”

proud homeland

The Swiss football club FC Basel, with which Federer, himself from Basel, has close ties, reacted quickly to Federer’s message. For FCB, Federer is “always one of us”.

Roger Federer was a world star, but Federer’s importance to Swiss tennis cannot be overstated. Swiss Tennis would like to thank the most successful Swiss tennis player, among other things, “for every child you have inspired to play tennis”.

Roger Federer is not only celebrated as a great tennis player, but also for how he enriched the sporting world beyond tennis as a person. This was emphasized by the Swiss Sports Minister Viola Amherd. In a statement she writes: «Throughout his career and with all his successes, Roger Feder has always remained down to earth and a true gentleman on and off the tennis court. He was also a great role model for a whole generation of girls and boys who were enthusiastic about tennis and sports in general. He was and is a role model for all of us – on and off the pitch.”

Federer, the popular one

Former Australian tennis pro Rod Laver described Federer as a “rocket” in a tweet and wrote “see you soon”. The Laver Cup, named after him, in which the best European players compete against top players from outside Europe, will be the last tournament in which Federer will take part.

Tennis legend and former world number 1 Billie Jean King has described Roger Federer as a “champion of champions”. Federer has the most complete game of his generation, according to Jean King. She herself won 39 major titles, 12 of them in singles.

Journalist Darius Rochebin took the moment to ask French soccer star Kylian Mbappé about Federer’s retirement. Rochebin asked the PSG star what he would do when he was Federer’s age. “I’ll sit on my couch,” replies the 23-year-old Mbappé, laughing.