BREAKING: 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer to retire after Laver Cup - "I know my body's capacities and its message to me lately has been clear"

Roger Federer has made the decision to retire from competitive tennis at the age of 41, he has confirmed on Thursday afternoon and will bow out from the sport after next week's Laver Cup in London.

Doubt had swelled around Federer's future due to recent setbacks in his recovery from surgery which put his participation alongside the Big Four into question as well as the Swiss Indoors in Basel. He will now not play the latter opting for his farewell to be alongside Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic - his greatest rivals.

Taking to social media, the legendary 20-time Grand Slam champion penned a letter to his 'tennis family and beyond' and part of it is below.

"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," said Federer.

"As many of you know, the past three years has 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 dreamt 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."

Six Australian Opens, a sole French Open, eight times a Wimbledon champion and five times at the US Open. A true modern day great bows out of the game and his final farewell will be next week.