Roger Federer has dropped the most significant hint yet that he may be calling it quits on his tennis career, according to an interview published in the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.
In the interview, he stated that he would be happier away from tennis.
“I am a winner lover but, if you’re not competitive anymore, then it’s better to stop,” Federer told the newspaper.
“I don’t think I need the tennis. I am happy with the little things, like when my son does something right and when my daughter comes home with a good grade.
“Tennis is part of, but not my entire identity. I want to be and remain successful and put a lot of energy into business, probably give more than I should sometimes – but that can also be done outside of sports.
“I know a professional career can’t last forever and that’s okay.”
With a knee injury, the 20-time Grand Slam champion was forced to miss this year’s Wimbledon and hasn’t played a competitive match since last year’s tournament at the All England Club.
Federer had played in every Wimbledon tournament since his first appearance in 1999, until this year.
However, the 40-year-old was only able to show his face as a spectator this time, as he donned a smart suit to watch the action on the tournament’s first Sunday.
Federer’s most recent Grand Slam triumph came at the start of 2018, when he won the Australian Open in Melbourne.
In recent years, he has been plagued by a persistent knee problem that has forced him to undergo surgery three times.
As a result of the problem, the ace has missed seven of the last nine majors.
