Tennis World will never be the same: Emotional fans react after Roger Federer

Tennis fans on Thursday have been left a heartbroken after Roger Federer announced that he will be retiring from tennis after the Laver Cup this month.

Federer made the announcement via social media where he announced that he will be going away from the sport after next week's Laver Cup, which will begin on 23rd September.

"To my tennis family and beyond. Of all the gifts that tennis has given me over the years, the greatest without a doubt has been the people I've met along the way: my friends, my competitors and most of all the fans who gave the sport it's life. Today, I want to share some news with all of you."

"As many of you know, the past three years have [presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries. I have 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. I'm 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 of, and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career."

The fans of the sport and Federer took to twitter and expressed their sadness at seeing the 41-year-old step away from the sport. Many also paid tribute to the legend and said that the sport will not be the same again.

The 41-year-old is widely considered to be one of the greatest to ever grace a tennis court, having won 20 Grand Slam titles during his time and having some legendary rivalries with the likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic along the way.