‘God Save The King’ French newspaper marks Federer with front page

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French newspaper L’Equipe has dedicated its front page to Roger Federer with the apt phrasing ‘God Save The King’. The tribute to the tennis icon is a reference to the accession of King Charles III in the United Kingdom. 

Federer has announced that he will retire from tennis following next week’s Laver Cup in London. The 20-times Grand Slam champion has struggled with a knee injury for the last year, with his most recent major appearance being the 2021 edition of Wimbledon. 

Tributes have flooded in from around the sporting world. French sports newspaper L’Equipe has cleverly combined Federer’s retirement with the biggest news story in Europe. 

Its front page displays an image of Federer – one of the greatest tennis stars of all-time – with the heading ‘God Save The King’. It comes following the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III. 

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The Queen died at her Balmoral residence on September 8. Her son, Charles, has become King. 

God Save the King was officially sang at a sporting event for the first time in over 70 years ahead of the resumption of England’s third test with South Africa last Saturday. 

Federer announced his retirement from tennis in a lengthy statement on Thursday. The 41-year-old will step back from all Grand Slams and AT tour-level events after the Laver Cup. 

An excerpt of his statement read: “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. Today, I want to share some news with all of you.

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“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, and its message to me lately has been clear. 

“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 drama, and now I must recognise when it is 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. This is a bittersweet decision, because I will miss everything the tour has given me.”

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