In a statement posted on social media, Federer noted that he has been dealing with injuries and surgeries over the last three years, adding that he’s “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,” he said. “I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1500 matches over 24 years. 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.”
In the last three years, Federer has struggled with a knee problem that prompted him to undergo surgery several times and blocked him from playing in all but three of the 11 Grand Slams held since the start of 2020, BBC reported. On Thursday, he called the decision to retire “bittersweet.”
“I will miss everything the tour has given me,” he said. “But at the same time, there is so much to celebrate.”
Federer was 16 in 1998 when he began his professional career, according to BBC. He won his first Grand Slam title five years later at Wimbledon. Over the course of his career, he claimed 20 Grand Slam trophies — more than any man in history aside from Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic.
In a statement on Thursday, ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said Federer “redefined greatness on the court.”
“Roger’s impact on tennis, and the legacy he’s built, are impossible to overstate,” he said. “Over 24 years as a professional, Roger brought millions of adoring fans into the game. He spearheaded an incredible new era of growth and elevated the popularity of our sport. Few athletes have transcended their field in such a manner. Roger made us all feel proud and fortunate to be part of the same sport.”
On Thursday, Federer called his career “an incredible adventure.”
“While it sometimes feels like it went by in 24 hours, it has also been so deep and magical that it sees as if I’ve already lived a full lifetime,” he said. “I have had the immense fortune to play in front of you in over 40 different countries. I have laughed and cried, felt joy and pain, and most of all I have felt incredibly alive.”
Federer is set to play alongside Nadal, Djokovic and the United Kingdom’s Andy Murray as part of Team Europe at the Laver Cup. The competition runs from Sept. 23 to Sept. 25.
Through the years Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a backhand on the Arthur Ashe court Thursday, September 4, 2003 at the U. S. Open in New York. Federer, the second seed in the men's division, was defeated 6-3, 6-7, 4-6, 3-6. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) (Al Messerschmidt/WireImage)
Through the years MIAMI - MARCH 28: Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a shot against Rafael Nadal of Spain on March 28, 2004 during Nasdaq 100 Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on Key Biscayne in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Through the years CINCINNATI - AUGUST 2: Roger Federer (Switzerland) poses for a portrait for ATP Tennis at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 3, 2004 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Through the years ATHENS - AUGUST 16: Roger Federer of Switzerland returns a shot during his men's singles tennis match against Nikolay Davydenko of Russia on August 16, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Olympic Sports Complex Tennis Centre in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) (Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
Through the years Top-seeded Roger Federer defeats Fabrice Santoro in the third round of the men's singles September 4, 2004 at the 2004 US Open in New York. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) (Al Messerschmidt/WireImage)
Through the years Andre Agassi and top-seeded Roger Federer square off in the quarter finals of the men's singles September 8, 2004 at the 2004 US Open in New York. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) (Al Messerschmidt/WireImage)
Through the years Roger Federer tumbles to the court after winning the men's singles final September 12, 2004 at the 2004 US Open in New York. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) (Al Messerschmidt/WireImage)
Through the years KEY BISCAYNE, FL - APRIL 03: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates match point after defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain in the men's final during the NASDAQ-100 Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 3, 2005 in Key Biscayne, Florida. Federer won the match 2-6, 6(4)-7(7), 6-3, 6-1 (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Through the years MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 01: Rafael Nadal of Spain consoles Roger Federer of Switzerland during the trophy presentation after his men's final match during day fourteen of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 1, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Through the years PARIS - JUNE 07: Roger Federer of Switzerland falls to his knees as he celebrates victory during the Men's Singles Final match against Robin Soderling of Sweden on day fifteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 7, 2009 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Through the years LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This image is a digital composite) In this handout image supplied by the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), Wimbledon Singles Champions Serena Williams of the USA and Roger Federer of Switzerland pose for a portrait at the Wimbledon Championships 2012 Champions' Dinner at the InterContinental Park Lane Hotel on July 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Lovelock / AELTC via Getty Images) (Handout/Getty Images)
Through the years LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 02: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a whot through the legs during his Gentlemens Singles Second Round match against Sam Querry of the United States during day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) (Ian Walton/Getty Images)
Through the years MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 29: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a forehand in his Men's Final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain on day 14 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images) (Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
Through the years MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 29: Roger Federer of Switzerland kisses the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after winning the Men's Final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain on day 14 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Through the years LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 16: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates victory with the trophy after the Gentlemen's Singles final against Marin Cilic of Croatia on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on July 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Through the years LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 16: Roger Federer of Switzerland kisses the trophy as he celebrates victory after the Gentlemen's Singles final against Marin Cilic of Croatia on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on July 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Through the years PERTH, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Roger Federer of Switzerland takes a selfie with a Quokka at Rottnest Island ahead of the 2018 Hopman Cup on December 28, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) (Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Through the years MONACO - FEBRUARY 27: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was altered with digital filters.) Tennis player Roger Federer holds his 6 Laureus World Awards after the 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards at Salle des Etoiles, Sporting Monte-Carlo on February 27, 2018 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Simon Hofmann/Getty Images for Laureus) (Simon Hofmann/Getty Images for Laureus)
Through the years LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 06: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates after defeating Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany in their Men's Singles third round match on day five of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Through the years CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 21: Team Europe Roger Federer of Switzerland and Team Europe Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrate a point against Team World Jack Sock of the United States and Team World Kevin Anderson of South Africa during their Men's Doubles match on day one of the 2018 Laver Cup at the United Center on September 21, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for The Laver Cup) (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for The Laver Cup)
Through the years MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts in his fourth round match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during day seven of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images) (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Through the years GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Roger Federer of Team Europe celebrates defeating John Isner of Team World during Day Three of the Laver Cup 2019 at Palexpo on September 22, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Laver Cup will see six players from the rest of the World competing against their counterparts from Europe. Team World is captained by John McEnroe and Team Europe is captained by Bjorn Borg. The tournament runs from September 20-22. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup) (Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
Through the years CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 07: Roger Federer of Switzerland during the Match in Africa between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at Cape Town Stadium on February 07, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images) (Ashley Vlotman/Getty Images)
Through the years DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 10: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates winning his match against Dan Evans of Great Britain on Day 3 of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on March 10, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mohamed Farag/Getty Images) (Mohamed Farag/Getty Images)
Through the years LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a forehand in his Men's Singles First Round match against Adrian Mannarino of France during Day Two of The Championships - Wimbledon 2021 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 29, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Through the years LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a backhand during his men's Singles Quarter Final match against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland on Day Nine of The Championships - Wimbledon 2021 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 07, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (Julian Finney/Getty Images)