Roger Federer
Introduction
One of the greatest tennis players of all time, Roger Federer faced both the previous generation of Sampras and Agassi and the new generation of Nadal and Djokovic, and came out on top numerous times. Being both talented and hardworking, the former Swiss tennis player has been ranked world #1 singles by the ATP for 310 weeks and finished as the year-end #1 five times. Being recently retired due to multiple injuries, especially his knee, he still lives comfortably off his career earnings and endorsements. Hailed as the undisputed grass-court king, let's look into the tennis great, Roger Federer: his achievements, injuries, and legacy
Early Age and Training
Born to the notable Federer family (most notably Urban Federer and Heinrich Federer), Roger started up tennis at age 3. Seeing quick progress, his mother Lynette Federer enrolled him in an elite junior program of the Old Boys Tennis Club. There he met one of his many coaches, Seppli Kacovsky. In his early years, he was famous not only for his incredible talent but also for his hot-headed nature. Often fooling around and throwing temper tantrums, he would sometimes scream out “lucky shot” when his opponent just performed a good shot. In 1998, Federer won the Wimbledon Junior title and started his career as a professional tennis player.
Achievements
In his long reign as World No. 1, let's take a look at his achievements
One of eight men to have won a career Grand Slam (winning all four Grand Slams at least once)
8 Wimbledon titles
20 Grand Slams (Out of 31 Grand Slam Finals)
Winner of Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award 13 times
ATPWorldTour.com Fans' Favorite Award 18 Times
2008 Olympic Gold Medal Doubles
2012 Olympic Silver Medal Singles
Injury
In 2016, Roger Federer sustained a knee injury while turning to run a bath for his daughters. This simple action, done numerous times both on and off the court, led to surgery where part of his meniscus was removed. This procedure, while providing short-term relief, changed the loading on his tibia. This frequently caused long-term complications such as pain, further surgeries, and, as was the case with Federer, eventual retirement. Over time, the altered mechanics in the knee led to erosion of joint surfaces and arthritis. For Federer, this was compounded by different injuries over the years, each contributing to the toll on his body and ultimately influencing his decision to retire.
Sources
Baldridge, Martin. “US Open 2012, Roger Federer: The Making of a Champion, Part 1.” Bleacher Report, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1237340-wimbledon-2012-roger-federer-the-making-of-a-champion-part-one. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
“List of Career Achievements by Roger Federer.” Wikipedia, 8 Apr. 2024. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_career_achievements_by_Roger_Federer&oldid=1217849183.
Rapp, Timothy. “Roger Federer Injury: Updates on Tennis Star’s Knee and Recovery.” Bleacher Report, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2654130-roger-federer-injury-updates-on-tennis-stars-knee-and-recovery. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
“Roger Federer.” Wikipedia, 23 Apr. 2024. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Roger_Federer&oldid=1220423650.
Roger Federer | Biography, Championships, & Facts | Britannica. 9 Apr. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roger-Federer.
Roger Federer and the End of Athlete’s Knee. 22 Sept. 2022, https://www.stoneclinic.com/blog/roger-federer-and-end-athletes-knee.
“Roger Federer Named Dartmouth College Commencement Speaker | ATP Tour | Tennis.” ATP Tour, http://www.atptour.com/en/news/federer-dartmouth-2024-announcement. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.