Reflecting on Roger Federer
By LEO ZHANG ’25
On a cold afternoon in January 2018, I sat watching the Australian Open final. The murmurs from the television filled my living room as he stood on the baseline, ready to serve. After five bounces, he threw the ball into the air and swung his racket at it, sending the ball to his opponent’s backhand with a crisp topspin. The ball bounced off his opponent’s racket, rolling on the ground to the front of the net. I jumped up from the sofa and cheered. Roger Federer could finally celebrate his twentieth Grand Slam title, setting another historical milestone for the greatest tennis player of all time.
Federer played his last professional tennis match on Sept. 23 at the Laver Cup in London, England. His retirement marks the end of an era of unmatched domination, elegance, and class.
In terms of his achievements, Federer holds unbreakable records. He won 103 Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) titles, including 20 Grand Slams, six ATP Finals, 28 Masters 1000 titles, and an Olympic Gold in Men’s Doubles. Along with reaching the semifinals of a Grand Slam 23 consecutive times, Federer spent 237 straight weeks as the World Number One. In his 1526 singles matches played, he never retired from a match, always finding a way through.
Federer shaped the tennis we know today. He revolutionized the modern forehand with his short takeback and early contact point. His technically perfect footwork poses as the benchmark even for professionals. For not being one of the tallest players, he has one of the most accurate and consistent serves. Along with his game, Federer set the standard of how players should behave on the court. He hardly shows his frustrations and fights to the end, always edging out the win in the toughest moments.
Off the court, Federer’s legacy continues to influence fellow players. After playing against him for almost the entirety of his career, Rafael Nadal, Federer’s greatest rival and friend, said, “An important part of my life is leaving too.”
Tennis legend Billie Jean King expressed her admiration for him. “He has the most complete game of his generation [and] captured the hearts of sports fans around the world with an amazing quickness on the court [and] a powerful tennis mind. He has had a historic career [with] memories that will live on and on,” she reflected.
Andy Murray, who competed in the Laver Cup alongside Federer commented on the elegance of his game. “He’s undoubtedly one of the greatest players to play the game, the way he played it, with his style and effortlessness.”
Federer is the most revered tennis player in the history of the sport. He has won the ATP Fan’s Favorite Award for 19 years in a row since 2003. Shortly after announcing his retirement, fans rushed to purchase tickets, skyrocketing the price to range from 900 to 50,000 euros. Along with his popularity, Federer has been an icon for thousands. Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini talked about his appreciation for Federer. “I grew up watching Roger Federer and always cheering for him. I supported him as much as I could, watching him on TV every time he played.”
As the news of Federer’s retirement subsides, his impact will influence the game forever. From his records to his attitude, he will always be an inspiration for millions and why I play and love tennis.
