Federer retirement bombshell

ROGER FEDERER has hinted again that he’s finally ready to call it quits.

And, in a wide-ranging interview with the Sunday Times Magazine, the experienced ace explained that he has concerns about how his body will continue to hold out if he keeps playing.

“What I like about my career is that no one knows what’s going to happen,” he said.

When asked if his new £230m (RM1.2b) sponsorship deal with Uniqlo means he’ll keep donning his tennis whites until the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, Federer replied: “Not necessarily.

“Two years isn’t a lot in most people’s lives, but for me, there’s a big difference between 37 and 39.

“It depends on how I’m playing, how my body feels. I know I’ll still be playing at club level with my kids, but beyond that, who knows?”

Coach Severin Luthi has predicted Federer will retire between 2019 ad 2021 – meaning he will not play beyond 40 years old.

“I do not like to speak a lot about his retirement and he does not like to talk about it, because it’s like it approaches faster,” Luthi told Le Temps.

“I can see him playing for at least one to three years more.

“For the Davis Cup, it’s different.

“My contract ends at the end of 2018 and I want to think about what I want for me.”

When asked if he’ll compete in the French capital again, he replied: “No idea if it was the last match (in Paris). – Daily Express