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The message Roger Federer sent to Serena Williams when she retired from tennis in 2022

Originally posted on HITC | By Callum Davies | Last updated Dec 4, 2025 1:53 PM ET

Roger Federer and Serena Williams, despite having stark differences in the ways they dismantled their opponents, have always seemingly been linked.

And the mutual respect between the two has been palpable throughout their careers too.

After all, not only are they the same age, but they both broke so many records alongside one another as they emerged as pioneers and superstars that arguably transcended tennis.

This connection culminated in their retirements, as both chose to call time on their sparkling careers in 2022.

What Roger Federer said when Serena Williams retired from tennis in 2022

However, Serena was keen to distance herself from the word ‘retirement’ back in 2022, instead insisting she was ‘evolving away’ from the sport.

Despite that, Federer spoke as if it would be her last-ever match, in a message compiled to celebrate her career.

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The 20-time Grand Slam champion stated: “Hey Serena, it’s Roger here.

“I wanted to congratulate you for a most incredible career. You know what you have achieved. I know what you have done and you know what it is, it’s just beyond incredible. It’s probably with mixed feelings that you’re leaving this wonderful sport that has given you everything and more.

“I wish you all the best with your family. All the best to your fans who I’m sure are going to miss you very dearly, and I am one of them.”

Serena Williams and Roger Federer have both teased tennis comebacks

Whilst Serena has consistently claimed that she never officially retired, Federer’s 2022 farewell was quite finite.

However, he is yet to completely disassociate himself from the sport, and continues to hint at potentially playing some exhibitions with Rafael Nadal, when the time comes.

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Now that the Spaniard has also called time on his career, such an opportunity may come sooner than expected.

As these two superstars of the men’s game continue to throw hints, arguably the biggest indicator of a big-name comeback yet has been dropped by Williams, who was confirmed as having registered for the ITIA’s Registered Testing Pool for anti-doping.

This suggests the American is aiming for a competitive comeback in 2026, even if she has emerged to try and quash those rumours.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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