Tennis great Roger Federer | CNN

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Roger Federer hits a backhand during the Wimbledon final in 2017.
Roger Federer hits a backhand during the Wimbledon final in 2017.
Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty Images

In pictures: Tennis great Roger Federer

Updated 9:56 PM EDT, Fri September 23, 2022
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Roger Federer, one of the greatest tennis players in history, is calling it a career.

The 41-year-old Swiss star played his last match Friday at the Laver Cup in London, teaming up with longtime rival Rafael Nadal for a doubles match.

Federer and Nadal, along with Novak Djokovic, have dominated men's tennis for the past two decades. Federer has won 20 grand slam singles titles, one behind Djokovic and two behind Nadal.

Federer was the first to 20, and during a five-year period in the early part of the century he won 12 of 18 grand slams and redefined the meaning of brilliance in the men's game.

Over his career, he won a record eight Wimbledon titles to go with six Australian Opens, six US Opens and one French Open. No man has played as many (429) or won as many grand slam matches (369). He leaves the sport with 103 titles, second only to Jimmy Connors in the Open Era, and more than $130 million in prize money.

"As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries," he said last week in an Instagram post. "I've worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body's capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear. ...

"Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career."

Federer was born in Basel, Switzerland, on August 9, 1981. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto%2F%3Ffbid%3D10154323829644941%26set%3Dpb.100044496786854.-2207520000.." target="_blank" target="_blank">He posted this photo</a> to his Facebook account in 2016.
Federer was born in Basel, Switzerland, on August 9, 1981. He posted this photo to his Facebook account in 2016.
From Roger Federer/Facebook
A teenage Federer hits a shot while on his way to winning the junior title at Wimbledon in 1998.
A teenage Federer hits a shot while on his way to winning the junior title at Wimbledon in 1998.
John Marsh/EMPICS/PA Images/Getty Images
Federer with his parents, Robert and Lynette, in 1998.
Federer with his parents, Robert and Lynette, in 1998.
Imago/Zuma
Federer hits a forehand at Wimbledon in 2003. He would go on to win the tournament, his first grand slam title.
Federer hits a forehand at Wimbledon in 2003. He would go on to win the tournament, his first grand slam title.
Bongarts/Getty Images
Federer and Serena Williams pose with their Wimbledon trophies in 2003.
Federer and Serena Williams pose with their Wimbledon trophies in 2003.
Rebecca Naden/AFP/Getty Images
Federer celebrates after defeating Lleyton Hewitt to win his first US Open in 2004.
Federer celebrates after defeating Lleyton Hewitt to win his first US Open in 2004.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Federer signs a camera after a French Open match in 2005.
Federer signs a camera after a French Open match in 2005.
Neo/Maxppp/Zuma
Federer, top, plays Andy Roddick during the 2005 Wimbledon final. Federer won five straight Wimbledons from 2003-2007.
Federer, top, plays Andy Roddick during the 2005 Wimbledon final. Federer won five straight Wimbledons from 2003-2007.
Simon M Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images
Federer and Andre Agassi hit balls on the helipad of the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2005. It was ahead of a tournament in Dubai.
Federer and Andre Agassi hit balls on the helipad of the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2005. It was ahead of a tournament in Dubai.
David Cannon/Dubai Duty Free/Getty Images
Federer and his future wife, Mirka, hang out in Paris together. She was also a professional tennis player. They were married in 2009.
Federer and his future wife, Mirka, hang out in Paris together. She was also a professional tennis player. They were married in 2009.
Jacques Lange/Paris Match/Getty Images
Federer kisses his trophy after he defeated Agassi to win the 2005 US Open.
Federer kisses his trophy after he defeated Agassi to win the 2005 US Open.
Amy Sancetta/AP
Federer sits next to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour at a Marc Jacobs fashion show in New York in 2006.
Federer sits next to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour at a Marc Jacobs fashion show in New York in 2006.
Billy Farrell/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images
Federer and Rafael Nadal play an exhibition on a half-clay, half-grass match in Spain in 2007. Federer has excelled on grass his entire career. Nadal is widely known as the "King of Clay."
Federer and Rafael Nadal play an exhibition on a half-clay, half-grass match in Spain in 2007. Federer has excelled on grass his entire career. Nadal is widely known as the "King of Clay."
Manu Fernandez/AP
Federer holds up his trophy to the crowd after winning his fifth straight Wimbledon in 2007.
Federer holds up his trophy to the crowd after winning his fifth straight Wimbledon in 2007.
Anja Niedringhaus/AP
Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka celebrate after they won Olympic gold in doubles in 2008.
Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka celebrate after they won Olympic gold in doubles in 2008.
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Federer returns a shot to Novak Djokovic during a match in Monaco in 2008.
Federer returns a shot to Novak Djokovic during a match in Monaco in 2008.
Claude Paris/AP
Nadal consoles Federer after defeating him in the 2009 Australian Open final. The two rivals pushed each other throughout the careers.
Nadal consoles Federer after defeating him in the 2009 Australian Open final. The two rivals pushed each other throughout the careers.
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Federer falls to his knees after winning the French Open in 2009. The elusive title completed the career grand slam for Federer.
Federer falls to his knees after winning the French Open in 2009. The elusive title completed the career grand slam for Federer.
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Federer plays a shot in the 2009 Wimbledon final.
Federer plays a shot in the 2009 Wimbledon final.
Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images
Federer celebrates after winning Wimbledon in 2009. It was his 15th major title, which at the time was the most ever for a men's tennis player.
Federer celebrates after winning Wimbledon in 2009. It was his 15th major title, which at the time was the most ever for a men's tennis player.
Henry Browne/Action Images/Reuters
Federer poses with children in Kore Roba, Ethiopia, while visiting a school funded by his charity, the Roger Federer Foundation, in 2010.
Federer poses with children in Kore Roba, Ethiopia, while visiting a school funded by his charity, the Roger Federer Foundation, in 2010.
Roger Federer Foundation/Getty Images
Federer plays Andy Murray in the final of the Australian Open in 2010.
Federer plays Andy Murray in the final of the Australian Open in 2010.
Andrew Brownbill/AP
Federer greets Britain's Queen Elizabeth II while she attended Wimbledon in 2010.
Federer greets Britain's Queen Elizabeth II while she attended Wimbledon in 2010.
Oli Scarff/Getty Images
Federer serves during the Australian Open in 2011. He won the tournament six times in his career.
Federer serves during the Australian Open in 2011. He won the tournament six times in his career.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
After winning a tournament in Switzerland, Federer poses with ball boys and girls as they pick up slices of pizza in 2011. Federer, who once worked as a ball boy in Basel, hosted the pizza party.
After winning a tournament in Switzerland, Federer poses with ball boys and girls as they pick up slices of pizza in 2011. Federer, who once worked as a ball boy in Basel, hosted the pizza party.
Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images
Federer walks off the court with Murray after Murray defeated him in the final of the 2012 Olympics in London.
Federer walks off the court with Murray after Murray defeated him in the final of the 2012 Olympics in London.
Paul Drinkwater/NBCU/Getty Images
Federer walks onto the court for a match at the ATP World Tour Finals in 2013.
Federer walks onto the court for a match at the ATP World Tour Finals in 2013.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Federer signs autographs for fans in Shanghai, China, in 2013.
Federer signs autographs for fans in Shanghai, China, in 2013.
Eugene Hoshiko/AP
Federer falls over during his Wimbledon semifinal match against Milos Raonic in 2016. He had been struggling with a knee injury that year, and he hurt it again during the loss to Raonic.
Federer falls over during his Wimbledon semifinal match against Milos Raonic in 2016. He had been struggling with a knee injury that year, and he hurt it again during the loss to Raonic.
Adam Davy/Pool/AP
Federer and Murray play a charity match on a raft in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2017.
Federer and Murray play a charity match on a raft in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2017.
Michael Buholzer/AFP/Getty Images
Federer won the Australian Open in 2017, defeating Nadal in the final. It was his first grand slam title since coming off knee surgery.
Federer won the Australian Open in 2017, defeating Nadal in the final. It was his first grand slam title since coming off knee surgery.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Federer practices in Indian Wells, California, in 2017.
Federer practices in Indian Wells, California, in 2017.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Federer is watched by his wife, Mirka, and their four children after winning Wimbledon in 2017. Federer has two sets of twins:  identical twin girls and fraternal twin boys.
Federer is watched by his wife, Mirka, and their four children after winning Wimbledon in 2017. Federer has two sets of twins: identical twin girls and fraternal twin boys.
Daniel Leal/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Federer tears up next to Martin Cilic after winning the 2018 Australian Open. It was the last grand slam title of his career.
Federer tears up next to Martin Cilic after winning the 2018 Australian Open. It was the last grand slam title of his career.
Michael Dodge/Getty Images
Federer plays a backhand to Nadal during a French Open semifinal in 2019.
Federer plays a backhand to Nadal during a French Open semifinal in 2019.
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Federer and Williams take a selfie after competing together in mixed doubles in 2019.
Federer and Williams take a selfie after competing together in mixed doubles in 2019.
Paul Kane/Getty Images
Federer leaves Centre Court at Wimbledon after losing in the quarterfinals in 2021.
Federer leaves Centre Court at Wimbledon after losing in the quarterfinals in 2021.
Simon M Bruty/Getty Images
Federer and Djokovic attend centenary celebrations at Wimbledon in July.
Federer and Djokovic attend centenary celebrations at Wimbledon in July.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
Federer announced this month that his appearance at the Laver Cup would be the last match of his professional career.
Federer announced this month that his appearance at the Laver Cup would be the last match of his professional career.
James Manning/PA Images/Getty Images
Federer plays a backhand during the Laver Cup in London. He was paired with Nadal in what was his final professional match.
Federer plays a backhand during the Laver Cup in London. He was paired with Nadal in what was his final professional match.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup
Federer and Nadal tear up after their match.
Federer and Nadal tear up after their match.
Kin Cheung/AP
Federer is lifted into the air by his fellow players after competing in his final match.
Federer is lifted into the air by his fellow players after competing in his final match.
Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup

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