Watch: Roger Federer begins his ATP journey as a ball boy at the age of 12

More than 19 years after winning his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, which launched him on the path to being regarded as the greatest player of all time, Roger Federer retired from tennis. He failed to win his final match for Team Europe at the Laver Cup, paired with long-time rival Rafael Nadal in doubles.

The Swiss great leaves the sport with 20 Grand Slams, including eight Wimbledon titles, 103 titles, and over $130 million in prize money, all thanks to a rare grace, laser precision, and a signature one-handed backhand. The journey, however, began with small steps.

Federer can be seen as a ball boy in a recent video posted by ATP Tour. The caption of the post read: "1993 - Where it all began...Ball boy at Swiss indoors in Basel, Switzerland."

Here is ATP Tour's post

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ATP Tour (@atptour)

In his final match, Nadal and Federer easily won the first set. It was expected to be Federer's perfect farewell performance. Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock of Team World, on the other hand, stunned the crowd by controlling their nerves in crucial situations and winning the match 4-6, 7-6(2), 11-9.

"It’s been wonderful. And of course playing with Rafa, on the same team, having all the guys here and all the legends, Rocket , Stefan Edberg – thank you. It is amazing, it really is . I didn’t want it to feel lonely out there. It felt lonely for a second when they told me to come out one more time, it didn’t feel great. But to say goodbye in a team, I always felt I was a team player at heart," Federer said during his emotional farewell speech.

“Singles doesn’t really do that a whole lot but I’ve had a team that travelled with me around the world. It’s been amazing with them. Thanks to everybody who made it work for so many years. Of course being on a team with Andy , Thomas , Novak , Matteo , Cam , Stefanos , Rafa and Casper – and also the other team – you guys are unbelievable,” he added.