[imagesource: Ben Solomon / The New York Times]

Much like Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, there are those who thought that the Swiss Prince would rule forever.

Alas, Roger Federer announced yesterday that he would be hanging up his professional racquet following the Laver Cup later this month.

Federer stressed that he is 41 and over a career spanning 24 years, has played more than 1 500 matches.

Numbers alone will never do justice to his impact on the sport and players today who benefit from increased prize money pools at tournaments owe him a debt of gratitude.

Take it away, Roger:

To my tennis family and beyond,

With Love,
Roger pic.twitter.com/1UISwK1NIN

— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) September 15, 2022

There’s an argument to be made that he’s the GOAT (greatest of all time). For example, he holds the record for the most consecutive weeks (237) at number one in the ATP Rankings.

His 103 titles are second only to Jimmy Connors’ 109. I’ll say it out loud – Connors didn’t have Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic to contend with.

The Athletic picked out a few other “GOAT-worthy records” notched up along the way.

Oldest World No. 1

Federer claimed his 98th ATP title in Stuttgart in June 2018 and became the oldest player to claim the world No. 1 ranking at 36 years old, 314 days. He holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest male tennis player ranked the world’s No. 1.

Five consecutive titles won at the U.S. Open

Federer is the only men’s player to win five consecutive U.S. Open titles (from 2004 to 2008) in the Open era.

Second-most weeks at No. 1

Federer was the previous record-holder with 310 combined weeks as the men’s top tennis player in ATP rankings. Novak Djokovic holds the current combined record (373 weeks), while Federer holds the record for most consecutive weeks.

Putting in a stat where he’s second to Djokovic seems odd. However, it means I can slot in these highlights from one of the great Grand Slam finals of the modern era:

In total, Federer has 105 Wimbledon match wins, the most among men.

Further standout stats below via Tennis Now:

369 – Federer is the all-time leader in Grand Slam match wins. Serena Williams, the all-time leader in Open Era Grand Slam titles ranks second with 367 Grand Slam singles victories.

65 – Length of Federer’s winning streak on grass from 2003 to 2008, which is the longest grass-court winning streak of all-time.

0 – Number of matches that Federer retired from. He finished every one of the 1526 matches he played.

36 – From Wimbledon in 2004 to Roland Garros in 2013, Federer reached a record 36 consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinals.

Throw in the fact that between 2004 and 2006, Federer amassed a record of 247-15.

Add a dash of Federer making all four Grand Slam Finals in one season three times in his career.

Top off with the fact that he’s the most-decorated athlete in the history of the Laureus World Sports Awards, winning Sportsman of the Year five times.

You’re looking at a recipe for greatness.

What none of those stats can tell you is the character of the man. Off the court, Federer is revered as one of modern sport’s great gentlemen and his friendship with Rafa Nadal, despite their intense on-court rivalry, is pretty special.

Look at these two. What’s not to love?

[sources:athletic&tennisnow]