Switzerland's Roger Federer returns against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego during their men's singles fourth round match on the seventh day of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 5, 2021. (GLYN KIRK / AFP)

Roger Federer broke the news fans across the world have long been fearing when he announced on Thursday he will retire from competitive tennis after next week's Laver Cup in London.

The 41-year-old Swiss, who has won 20 Grand Slam titles and is regarded by many as the best player ever to wield a racket, has not played a match since last year's Wimbledon.

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.

Roger Federer, Swiss tennis player

"As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries," Federer said in a post on Instagram.

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"I've 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 am 41 years old."

"I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognize when it's time to end my competitive career. The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event. I will play more tennis in the future, of course, but just not in Grand Slams or on the tour."

Federer, who dominated men's tennis after winning his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, has been troubled by injuries in recent years.

This is a bittersweet decision, because I will miss everything the tour has given me... But at the same time, there is so much to celebrate. I consider myself one of the most fortunate people on Earth.

Roger Federer

He has undergone three knee operations in the last two years and his last competitive match was a quarter-final defeat against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz at the 2021 Wimbledon.

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Federer had offered some hope to his legions of fans when he said he planned to return to the tour after teaming up with long-time rival and friend Rafa Nadal to play doubles at the Laver Cup in London next week.

He had also planned to play at the Swiss indoors tournament at home in Basel.

"This is a bittersweet decision, because I will miss everything the tour has given me," Federer, who has two sets of twins with wife Mirka, added.

"But at the same time, there is so much to celebrate. I consider myself one of the most fortunate people on Earth.

"I was given a special talent to play tennis, and I did it at a level that I never imagined, for much longer than I ever thought possible."

In this file photo taken on Jan 26, 2020 Switzerland's Roger Federer celebrates after victory against Hungary's Marton Fucsovics during their men's singles match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. (WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

Federer first served notice of his special talent when he beat American great Pete Sampras on his way to the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2001.

Two years later he outclassed Mark Philippoussis on Wimbledon's Centre Court to begin his Grand Slam collection.

Federer went on to win seven more Wimbledon titles, claimed five US Open titles, six Australian crowns and a single French Open achieved in 2009 to complete his career Slam.

He also holds the record for 237 consecutive weeks as world number one and the only omission from his glittering CV is an Olympic singles gold medal, losing to Andy Murray in the 2012 final.