Roger Federer has announced that he will retire from tennis this month after playing in the Laver Cup.

The 41-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent years, missing this summer’s Wimbledon.

And he has admitted it is “time to end my competitive career”. 

A knee problem has kept the 20-time Grand Slam winner out of competitive tennis for over a year. He played his last match against Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon last year.

"My body's message to me lately has been clear," Federer said.

"I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years. Now I must recognise when it is time to end my competitive career.

"To the game of tennis, I love you and will never leave you."

Federer won a record eight Wimbledon titles during his 24-year career. Only Rafael Nadal (22) and Novak Djokovic (21) have more Grand Slam titles than the Swiss great.

He made his professional debut at the age of 16 and two decades later became the second-oldest player in the Open era to win a Grand Slam with victory at the 2018 Australian Open.

"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 give the sport its life," Federer said, reflecting on a career of unmatched longevity.

"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’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body’s capacities and limits.

"I am 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.

"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."

The news of Federer's retirement comes just weeks after another tennis legend, Serena Williams, also hung up her racket.

There has also been talk of Nadal's potential retirement after next year's French Open, with the Spaniard's injury problems a continuous theme of 2022.