Oso planning to go pro
Federer announced his retirement.
He had been "retired" for some time now, but he now makes it official.“I am 41 years old, I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years,” Federer said in an audio clip posted on social media. “Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamed and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career.”And what a career it was. Loved watching his surgical precision and his will to win on display.Rafa is on the clock. It wouldn't stun me if he announces his retirement this year or next.
Rafa was at about 66% at the USOpen. I still think he's got one more French Open in him. 15 just sounds better than 14. The Djoker could still very well catch him but my hope is Alcaraz kicks up his level a year earlier than I expect. Ideally the way for Rafa to go out would be for him to throttle both Alcaraz and Djokovic at Roland Garros, snag #15, and for the organizers of the French Open to print Vamos fifteen times with Rafa's image at the back of the center court. There are no guarantees in life.....except that 15 with a record of 119-3 will never be touched.
Definitely open to discussion, but I think Federer is #1 all-time. Although, if Borg had played till age 40, He would have enough titles to never be caught.
FWIW, fun fact, at the same age/period of his life when Borg retired, Fed actually had more grand slams. Borg's run was dominant, but I think his relative lack of hard court Grand Slam success would have prevented "uncatchable" major totals.
Congratulations to Taylor Townsend for already winning 2 WTA Doubles titles in 2023 with two different partners.
Rafa is out. He's obviously banged up.
Yes, Mackie was the better player against a 36-year-old guy who entered the tournament unfit and who could barely move at the end.It was a sad day for tennis. Rafa has battled back before, but he looks done.I'm guessing that if he can move at all he'll give the French one more try. If the result is similar, he'll hang it up.As a fan, I'm grateful for the hundreds of hours of enjoyment I've gotten from watching the most accomplished (and perhaps greatest) tennis player of the modern era play the sport as nobody before him ever did and nobody after him ever will.