END OF THE ERA! Roger Federer announces his tennis retirement

Tennis legend Roger Federer has announced his retirement through a short video on his social media on Thursday afternoon.

The 41-year-old Swiss player hasn't played for more than 12 months due to a knee injury.

"The Laver Cup, next week in London, will be my final ATP event," he said in a statement posted on his Twitter account.

His last match on the circuit was in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last year, when he lost in straight sets to 14th-seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland.

Federer has enjoyed an astonishing career, with 103 ATP singles titles, 20 grand slams and an Olympic silver medal.

He also enjoyed a streak of 237 consecutive weeks when he was ranked the best player on the planet.

Federer said that his body had effectively told him it was time to bring the curtain down.

"I've worked hard to return to full competitive form," he wrote.

"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 dreamt, and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career."