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They were born only 49 days apart, though in vastly different corners of the world.

Consider the catalogues of Serena Williams and Roger Federer as a portrait of contrasting forces. Stylistically different, but in terms of sheer substance, they are two of the most decorated players of the Open Era, almost without rivals.

It feels appropriate they chose to depart from professional tennis within a span of five weeks. Williams’ retirement news arrived in a Vogue magazine essay on 9 August, the day after Federer turned 41. His announcement came Thursday, 11 days before her 41st birthday.

“This is a bittersweet decision, because I will miss everything the tour has given me,” Federer wrote in his retirement letter. “But at the same time, there is so much to celebrate. I consider myself one of the most fortunate people on earth. I was given a special talent to play tennis, and I did it at a level that I never imagined, for much longer than I ever thought possible.”

Williams earlier had expressed similar sentiments when saying goodbye to fans.

ATP has announced significant upgrades to the ATP Challenger Tour, set to deliver a record number of events, multi-million dollar prize money increases and an optimised tournament calendar from January 2023. The reforms follow an in-depth review and strategy development, conducted by ATP’s new senior Challenger Tour team over the past eight months.

Key changes include:

1) Category Simplification:

The ATP will phase out the Challenger 90 and 110 categories, reducing the number of categories from six to four. Starting in 2023, the core categories will be:

In addition, ATP will introduce three brand-new premium Challenger 175 events, during the second week of ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells, Rome and Madrid, with prize money of $220,000.

In 1973, Ilie Nastase became the first player to finish the season as the year-end No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. Since then, a further 16 players have ended the year at the top of tennis’ mountain.

Novak Djokovic holds the ATP record of seven year-end No. 1 finishes, while 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz will be aiming to become the youngest player in history to finish the season in top spot after soaring to No. 1 following his recent US Open title run. However, one record looks set to remain for years to come...

As part of ATP’s anniversary celebrations, ATPTour.com has identified 50 game-changing moments of the past 50 years and collated them in an immersive feature. Here we look at how Pete Sampras stayed at the top of the sport throughout the 1990s.

[ATP APP]

As Sampras secured his place among the sport’s kings in the 1990s, one record kept the American hungry: Jimmy Connors’ five straight year-end No. 1 finishes between 1974 and 1978.

Taylor Fritz fired the United States closer to the Davis Cup Finals knock-out stage on Thursday, defeating Alexander Bublik 7-6(6), 1-6, 6-3 to give the Americans an unassailable 2-0 lead against Kazakhstan.

The United States won its opening Group D tie in Glasgow against Great Britain in the early hours of Wednesday morning and backed that up with a comfortable victory against Kazakhstan. In the first match of the tie, Tommy Paul proved too strong for Mikhail Kukushkin. The World No. 29 cruised past the 34-year-old 6-1, 6-4 in 87 minutes, before Fritz finished the job.

View Davis Cup Scores

Kecmanovic Seals Serbia’s Win Against South Korea
Miomir Kecmanovic overcame Soonwoo Kwon 6-3, 6-3 in Valencia to keep Serbia’s Davis Cup qualification chances alive in Group B.

The World No. 33 saved all four break points he faced to triumph after 81 minutes, moving Serbia into a 2-0 lead against South Korea. Kecmanovic has improved his ATP Head2Head series record against the 24-year-old to 2-0.

Portugal’s Nuno Borges might just celebrate making his Top 100 debut by putting to use one of his biggest passions outside of tennis.

“I like to bake cakes,” Borges told ATPTour.com “I think I got that from my mom, I used to help her when I was young and I guess I still have that in me, it’s a side of me that not many people know about.”

After a second consecutive standout year on the ATP Challenger Tour, Borges found himself knocking on the door of the Top 100 on the eve of the US Open. Then at Flushing Meadows, the 25-year-old advanced through qualifying before reaching the second round, a run that lifted him to World No. 93 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

The Maia native is just the sixth Portuguese player to win a Grand Slam main-draw match in men's singles and the fourth Portuguese player to crack the Top 100 in the past decade, joining Joao Sousa, Pedro Sousa, and Gastao Elias (in 2016, Joao Sousa reached the highest ranking in Portuguese tennis history when he climbed to a career-high No. 28).

[ATP APP]

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal created one of the most iconic rivalries in all of sports. Following Federer’s retirement announcement on Thursday, Nadal wrote a letter to his “friend and rival” on Twitter.

“I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world. It’s been a pleasure but also an honour and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court,” Nadal wrote. “We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still lots of things to do together, we know that.

“For now, I truly wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your kids, your family and enjoy what’s ahead of you. I’ll see you in London at Laver Cup.”

Dear Roger,my friend and rival.
I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.
It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court ??

Federer and Nadal played each other 40 times in their ATP Head2Head series, with 24 of those matches coming in finals. All but four of their clashes came in the semi-finals or final of a tournament, or at the Nitto ATP Finals.

Roger Federer announced his upcoming retirement at the Laver Cup on Thursday in a letter. The Swiss' voiceover of that letter and the text, in full, are below.

To my tennis family and beyond,

With Love,
Roger pic.twitter.com/1UISwK1NIN

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 you all.

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 1,500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognise when it’s time to end my competitive career.

Roger Federer, who today announced his intention to retire at the Laver Cup this month, is the benchmark to which every tennis champion — past or present — is measured, and a true global ambassador who transcended the sport.

In a career of jaw-dropping achievement, the Swiss was not only exciting to watch in the efficiency and beauty of his execution, but at the height of his powers in his quest for historic records, Federer was a perfectionist. His own game not only evolved in 25 seasons as a professional, but he also forced his rivals — many of whom had a Federer poster on their bedroom walls — to improve, too.

[ATP APP]

Federer’s longevity was centred on the fact that not only could he play superbly on every surface, but he combined great fitness with strategy and anticipation. Tennis fans will today reflect upon his legacy and periods of dominance, notably his record 237 consecutive weeks at No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings from 2 February 2004 to 17 August 2008 and how he also reached a record 23 consecutive Grand Slam semi-finals from 2004 Wimbledon to the 2010 Roland Garros semi-finals (winning 20 of them).

But there was also his dedication, commitment, and desire to not only stay ahead of his fellow professionals, but to evolve every aspect of his game. Throughout his illustrious career, Federer brought in the likes of specialist coaches, such as Tony Roche, Stefan Edberg, and Ivan Ljubicic, to join his established and trusted team. Federer went on to develop his serve strategy, the way he volleyed and how his single-handed backhand improved to combat his greatest rivals, notably Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Roger Federer’s announcement that next week’s Laver Cup will be his final ATP event caught the tennis and sports world by surprise Thursday. Many of tennis’ biggest stars quickly reacted to the news.

Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick, new World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Rod Laver were among the first to post tributes on social media.

Cheers Roger. Thanks for the shared memories my friend. It was an honor to share time/experiences on the most hallowed grounds in our sport. Don’t be a stranger ….

Roger… ?

Roger has been one of my idols and a source of inspiration! ? Thank you for everything you have done for our sport! ❤️ I still want to play with you! ? Wish you all the luck in the world for what comes next! ?? @rogerfederer pic.twitter.com/k4xjyN3AAB

Roger Federer announced his upcoming retirement Thursday, saying that next week's Laver Cup will be his final ATP event.

"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 capabilities and limits and its message to me lately has been clear. I am 41 years old. I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years," Federer said. "Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt and now I must recognise when it's 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."

The Swiss legend held World No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for 310 weeks, second-most since 1973 behind only Novak Djokovic. However, Federer held top spot for a record 237 consecutive weeks from 2 February 2004 until 18 August 2008.

Roberto Bautista Agut ensured Spain made a winning start to its Group B campaign on Wednesday in Valencia. The World No. 21 struck 37 winners en route to a 7-6(5), 7-6(5) victory against Miomir Kecmanovic to give Spain a 2-0 lead against Serbia.

In the first match of the tie, Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas clawed past Laslo Djere 2-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 in two hours and 57 minutes. With his win, the 34-year-old has levelled his ATP Head2Head series against two-time tour-level titlist Djere at 2-2.

View Davis Cup Live Scores

[ATP APP]

Italy Sweeps Past Croatia
Matteo Berrettini rallied past Croatian Borna Coric 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-1 to secure Italy victory in Group A in Bologna.

Perhaps the next big tennis rivalry initially started on the ATP Challenger Tour.

When Carlos Alcaraz made his Challenger Tour debut at 15-years-old, he defeated 17-year-old Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 at the Alicante Challenger in 2019. The Spaniard made history that day, becoming the first player born in 2003 to win an ATP match.

This past week, Alcaraz and Sinner met for the fifth time in a thrilling quarter-final match at the US Open, where Alcaraz outlasted the Italian 6-3, 6-7(7), 6-7(0), 7-5, 6-3 in the second-longest match in US Open history (five hours, 15 minutes). The two youngsters produced a high quality of tennis, battling until 2:50 a.m. local time.

Alcaraz and Sinner have split their four ATP Tour-level meetings and the instant classic at Flushing Meadows proved that their matches will be must-watch television for years to come.

[ATP APP]

With the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Milan heating up, a number of #NextGenATP stars earned standout results in the third quarter of the season to boost their chances of qualifying for the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals.

Italian Lorenzo Musetti defeated Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz to lift his maiden tour-level title in Hamburg, while Jack Draper and Ben Shelton made their mark at ATP Masters 1000 events in North America. Brandon Nakashima, who is aiming to compete at the 21-and-under event in November for a second consecutive season, impressed on the Wimbledon lawns and Jiri Lehecka continued his strong season with title success on the ATP Challenger Tour.

Leaders Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner also broke new ground to move further clear in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Milan, with the 19-year-old Alcaraz capturing his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open. 

View Latest Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Milan Standings

Alcaraz & Sinner Remain In Front
With the world watching, Alcaraz made history at the US Open, overcoming Casper Ruud in the final to clinch his first Grand Slam crown and secure the No. 1 Pepperstone ATP Ranking.

It might be time to give Andy Murray a new nickname: Nostradamus.

During an interview with ATPTour.com in Cincinnati in August 2021, the former World No. 1 was asked which current player he would pick to reach No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

“Of the current ones Medvedev would be the guy I would expect to get there first. I think maybe he will need to be a little bit more consistent on the clay to get there, but I think he’s got a good chance,” Murray said. “From the young, young ones, I think [Carlos] Alcaraz is really, really good. I think he’s got a good chance at it. I would probably say Alcaraz if I had to pick one from the young guys.”

Murray’s prophecy has been fulfilled just 13 months later. Medvedev ascended to World No. 1 on 28 February and has held the top spot for 16 weeks over two stints. Alcaraz on Monday became the youngest World No. 1 in Pepperstone ATP Rankings history.

[ATP APP]

Alex de Minaur overcame David Goffin on Tuesday to give Australia an unassailable 2-0 lead in its Davis Cup Finals Group B clash against Belgium in Hamburg.

The 23-year-old saved both break points he faced to move past Goffin 6-2, 6-2 in 67 minutes. De Minaur now leads the Belgian 3-0 in their ATP Head2Head series.

View Davis Cup Live Scores

In the first match of the tie, Australian Jason Kubler defeated Zizou Bergs 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. The 29-year-old won 64 per cent (14/22) of his second-serve points and twice rallied from a break down in the third set to triumph after two hours and nine minutes. In the last match of the tie, Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell downed Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen 6-1, 6-3 to secure a 3-0 victory for Australia.

What is the format for the 2022 Davis Cup Finals?
The group stage of the 2022 Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals will take place across four cities - Bologna, Glasgow, Hamburg and Valencia - from 13-18 September. The 16 nations will compete in four round-robin groups of four teams. The top two teams in each group will advance to the knock-out stage. The knock-out stage will take place in Malaga from 22-27 November.

Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena and Frenchman Hugo Grenier won ATP Challenger Tour titles on home soil this past week. Carballes Baena cruised to the title on the unique yellow-clay courts in Seville, while Grenier won the Cassis Challenger to rise into the Top 100 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time.

Carballes Baena collected his 10th Challenger Tour title when he defeated countryman Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-3, 7-6(6) to claim the LIX Copa Sevilla.

Carballes Baena, who also won the Tunis Challenger in May, dropped just one set all week en route to claiming the title. In his quarter-final match, the 29-year-old enjoyed a comfortable 6-1, 6-2 victory over Federico Delbonis, overcoming his 0-4 ATP Head2Head deficit to the Argentine.

[ATP APP]

“I'm very happy to have won the trophy. Last year I didn't play well in the final (Seville ‘21, l. Martinez), but this week I played at a high level,” Carballes Baena said. “It was an intense match with very long rallies.”

Carlos Alcaraz made history on Sunday when he won the US Open. On Monday, the Spaniard celebrated in style.

After speaking to the assembled media and doing 14 television interviews on Sunday night, Alcaraz woke up ready for more on Monday. Officially the youngest World No. 1 in Pepperstone ATP Rankings history, the 19-year-old's media circuit began at 11 a.m., when he was picked up at his hotel.

The teen did an interview on his way to Times Square, one of the most iconic locations in New York. With folks walking in the square, where countless celebrities have been before, Alcaraz, lifted his trophy high for some photos. Several stars have done a similar photoshoot in the same location over the years, from Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.

Photo Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images
After Alcaraz's visit to Times Square, he returned to his hotel for more interviews, bringing his total for the day to more than 10.

For a player who became just the second male teenager in the Open Era to win the US Open, joining Pete Sampras, there was a lot to talk about. He is also first in the Pepperstone ATP Race To Turin, putting him in pole position to finish year-end No. 1.

The third quarter of the 2022 ATP Tour season saw the rise of the youngest-ever World No. 1, a familiar face lifting the Wimbledon trophy, and a pair of first-time ATP Masters 1000 champions.

An action-packed grass-court season witnessed Matteo Berrettini and Nick Kyrgios deliver a host of standout performances, but it ended with Novak Djokovic clinching his fourth consecutive title at the grass-court major. The switch to the North American hard courts in August saw Pablo Carreno Busta and Borna Coric claim their maiden ATP Masters 1000 titles, before Carlos Alcaraz lifted his first Grand Slam crown in style at the US Open in September to reach top spot in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

ATPTour.com reflects on all that and more from a thrilling few months on the ATP Tour.

[ATP APP]

Alcaraz On Top Of The World
Despite his promising fourth-round run at Wimbledon being ended by his #NextGenATP rival Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz cracked the Grand Slam code in dramatic style at the US Open, where the 19-year-old lifted his first major title after a high-stakes championship match showdown against Casper Ruud.

Winning a Grand Slam at 19 years of age and becoming the No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings inevitably brings with it the impression that Carlos Alcaraz is a prodigal talent, a player with a God-given gift for tennis. However, the Spaniard is quick to distance himself from labels of such magnitude.

“I’m not special, and nobody said I was going to be the best," Alcaraz said. "I’ve worked for it.”

In an interview from New York, the youngest World No. 1 in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings reveals the person hiding behind the premature success of his fledgling professional career.

You’ve said many times that your dream was to be the No. 1. Is there anything left that excites you?
Playing against Federer would excite me and beating a 'Big Three' player in a Grand Slam. I’ve always said that in order to be the best, you have to beat the best.

In an interview a few years ago you denied being special. Now you are breaking all the records for precocity. Do you stand by that statement or are you starting to think you do have something special?
My answer is the same. Nobody gifts you anything, I believe. You don’t just click your fingers and have the world at your feet. You have to work at things. I think what I have achieved, winning a Grand Slam and being No. 1 in the world, is because of the work I’ve been doing with my team for a very long time.