Retirement happens to every athlete in every sport. At the end of each season, Olympic cycle or due to other circumstances, countless athletes are faced with what may be the most difficult decision of their careers. And those in a position to make that decision for themselves are the lucky ones.
Twenty time Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer is set to retire at the age of 41
Roger Federer, in the eyes of many the greatest tennis player of all time, has decided it is time to hang up his racquet. At the age of 41 and having suffered a persistent knee injury, the question for most fans was whether they would get to see him play one last time before he retired. To the delight of the tennis world, Federer committed to playing one last time at the Laver Cup in London.
No matter how successful a sporting career and the amount of money made during it, the transition to retirement can be hard for any player. The process of coming to terms with a complete lifestyle change that can include a loss of identity, removal of routine, lack of clear objectives and therefore a drop in focus are just a few of the issues most players face.
During the 1970’s and 1980’s psychologists such as Schlossberg and Haerle began to take notice of retirement from sport as it became apparent that athletes struggled mentally with what they termed the ‘transition’. Understanding of the difficulties faced by athletes following this major transition has now broadened. Professional sport is littered with examples of athletes that have suffered from occupational/financial worries, family and social problems, and in many cases substance and gambling abuses following retirement.
Many athletes don’t have the same opportunities Federer will have. That is not to diminish the challenge he will face, but when your funding is cut as part of the Olympic programme, or your cricket county decides your services are no longer needed, the options such as media work, which he has now hinted at, mentoring or lifetime endorsement and investment deals just aren’t as forthcoming.
In 2016 A research paper by Sophie Knights and colleagues from La Trobe University in Melbourne examined athlete transitions. They outlined how an athlete being able to accept the new chapter in their life and the degree to which this is done voluntarily seems to play a significant role in how athletes transition successfully into the next phase of their lives. In essence, if you can retire on your terms and have achieved your major performance goals, this is much easier than suffering a major injury or not having a contract renewed.
Whilst it was an injury that forced Federer into his retirement decision, when listening to the interviews he has given, the ability to have chosen to play in one last tournament was clearly a big part of his process. He is now in control of his last appearance. A doubles match partnering his friend and rival Rafa Nadal, will mean that his final bow, no matter the result, won’t be a losing one at a tournament. It means it can be seen as a celebration of his career and finishing on a high.
Federer seems to be in a good place to transition to the next stage of his life. He is talking about a change and continuing in a different manner rather than seeing it as the end. His age could also be a benefit, at 41 and a father of four his life is broader than just his sport. He is an investor in ON, the Swiss running company and has a foundation within which he plays an active role. His longevity also allowed his transition to start whilst still playing. From 2016 onwards the number of tournaments he played decreased. He prioritised events he felt he had a better chance of going deep into. A focus on his family life also became increasingly prominent in interviews and his discussions regarding his knee injury over the past three years have been relatively open in terms of its potential impact on his career.
The transition to retirement for an elite athlete is never easy. While Federer ultimately had to stop because of injury, he has been able to exert some control over the process and has enjoyed a long and lucrative career. For many players, this is not the case. So, while we all enjoy his final appearance, spare a thought for those further down the world rankings. When retirement strikes, they too will have to deal with a change of status, leaving behind a lifestyle that has helped shape their identity and livelihood.
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