Hindi kapani-paniwalang pakikipagsapalaran, binanggit ni Federer nang i-anunsiyo ang kaniyang pagreretiro
Magreretiro na si Roger Federer pagkatapos ng Laver Cup sa susunod na linggo, makaraang aminin na ang pakikipaglaban niya sa kaniyang problema sa tuhod ang pumuwersa sa kaniya na ihinto na ang makasaysayan niyang tennis career.
Bumuhos ang mga pagpupugay para sa 41-anyos na Swiss legend mula sa mga karibal gaya ni Rafael Nadal, habang tinanggap naman siya ni Serena Williams sa “retirement club”.
Ang 20 Grand Slam title winner at best player of all time na si Federer, ay wala na sa aksiyon simula nang matalo sa quarterfinal noong 2021 sa Wimbledon, pagkatapos ay sumailalim siya sa ikatlo niyang operasyon sa tuhod sa loob ng 18 buwan.
Sa isang pahayag ay sinabi niya, “The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event. The last 24 years on tour have been an incredible adventure. While it sometimes feels like it went by in 24 hours, it has also been so deep and magical that it seems as if I have already lived a lifetime.”
Dahil sa problema niya sa tuhod, si Federer ay nakapaglaro lamang ng tatlo sa 11 Grand Slams mula nang mag-umpisa ang 2020 at sinabing katawan na niya ang nagsasabing kailangan na niyang tumigil.
Aniya, “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 recognise when it is time to end my competitive career.”
Sa ngayon dalawang magaling na manlalaro na ang magkasunod na nawala sa tennis, matapos magretiro na rin ni Williams makaraang matalo sa third round ng US Open sa simula ng Setyembre.
Sinabi ng winner ng 23 major titles kay Federer, “I wanted to find the perfect way to say this, as you so eloquently put this game to rest — perfectly done, just like your career. I have always looked up to you and admired you. Our paths were always so similar, so much the same. You inspired countless millions and millions of people — including me — and we will never forget.”
Sinabi naman ni Nadal, ang hindi maipagkakailang pinakamatinding karibal ni Federer sa tennis court, na isang karangalan na nakaharap niya ito.
Ang pares ay 40 ulit nang nagkaharap, kabilang rito ang siyam na Grand Slam finals, kung saan hawak ni Nadal ang 24-16 winning record.
Nakasaad sa tweet ni Nadal, “It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world. It’s been a pleasure but also an honour and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court.”
Nagbigay din ng pagpupugay ang Wimbledon kay Federer, na walong ulit na naging champion doon.
Pahayag ng Wimbledon, “Roger, where do we begin? It’s been a privilege to witness your journey and see you become a champion in every sense of the word. We will so miss the sight of you gracing our courts, but all we can say for now is thank you, for the memories and joy you have given to so many.”
Ang gaganaping Laver Cup team event sa London sa susunod na linggo ay inaasahang magiging isang emotional final meeting ng “Big Four” na nagdomina sa men’s tennis sa nakalipas na dalawang dekada.
Si Nadal, na siyang may hawak sa men’s record para sa Grand Slam titles na may 22; si Novak Djokovic, na nagwagi ng 21 major crowns; ang two-time Wimbledon champion na si Andy Murray at Federer ay magkasamang maglalaro bilang bahagi ng Team Europe.
Ang tatlo ay binigyang pugay din ni Federer.
Aniya, “I was lucky enough to play so many epic matches that I will never forget. We battled fairly, with passion and intensity, and I always tried my best to respect the history of the game. I feel extremely grateful. We pushed each other, and together we took tennis to new levels.”
Dagdag pa nito, “This is a bittersweet decision because I will miss everything the tour has given me. But, at the same time, there is so much to celebrate. I consider myself one of the most fortunate people on Earth. I was given a special talent to play tennis and I did it at a level that I never imagined for much longer than I ever thought possible.”
Napanalunan ni Federer ang huli niyang Slam titles sa 2018 Australian Open at huling naglaro sa isang major final sa Wimbledon tatlong taon na ang nakalilipas, kung saan natalo siya kay Djokovic sa kabila ng pagkakaroon ng dalawang championship points.
© Agence France-Presse
