The imminent end of Roger Federer’s career has caused regret beyond tennis.
“With Roger Federer, Switzerland is losing its best sportsman of the past and probably also of the future – the attribute “of all time” might even be justified at this point for once,” wrote the newspaper “Tages-Anzeiger” from Zurich. And the “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” found: “Federer is a superstar in the international context, on a par with basketball player Michael Jordan, footballer Lionel Messi or golfer Tiger Woods.”
The newspaper “Blick” also highlighted Federer’s worldwide significance. With millions of fans around the globe, the 41-year-old is “probably the most popular tennis player in the world. They will all sorely miss him and his incomparable tennis skills. “
“A gentleman on and off the court “
For Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Swiss is “a gentleman on and off the court – and a true Olympic champion”. Former World Cup winner Jerome Boateng took to Twitter to thank the Swiss for all the moments and memories and everything he has done for tennis over the past two decades and more. “Another definition of GOAT,” the Olympique Lyon defender wrote, referring to “Greatest of all times”.
But there was particular regret in the tennis world. Stan Wawrinka, with whom Federer had become double Olympic champion in Beijing in 2008, judged: “Tennis will never be the same without you.” Billie Jean King called Federer the “champion among champions”. “Thank you for everything Roger. See you soon,” said former top Australian player Rod Laver. Roger Federer is set to play his last official match at the competition named after him between Europe and a world selection in London from 23 to 25 September.
