Roger Federer walked off the court for the final time at the 2022 Laver Cup, marking the end of an era in tennis.

What happened?

Federer's doubles partner, Rafael Nadal, seemed to understand that he was staring down his own tennis mortality as well.

Why it matters for Roger Federer

The golden age of tennis didn't end with a whimper, but with a new generation of elite players delivering astonishing play.

At the 2022 U.S. Open, a pair of European neophytes, 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz and 21-year-old Jannik Sinner, slugged it out for a grueling five hours and 15 minutes before Alcaraz struck the final blow at 2:50 a.m.

What comes next?

This tennis quartet, including Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka, has claimed 21 major titles since 2022, with Alcaraz winning seven and Świątek winning six.

The rapid emergence of this cohort of stars is the inciting event in Matthew Futterman's account of the thrilling and grueling lives of the tennis elite.

Before the 2022 U.S. Open, this tennis quartet had claimed only two major titles, both won by Świątek.

Now, they're up to 21, with only two other players winning more than a single major during this time: Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff.

Reaching the summit of a sport played by 100 million people worldwide is close to impossible, and staying at the top isn't much easier.

The next generation of elite players has arrived, and they're delivering astonishing play on the court, but they aren't entirely happy off the court.

Tennis was entering a rebuilding phase during which the legends of the past would make way for a new generation of stars.

The roster at the 2022 Laver Cup was littered with hyped young players, such as Stefanos Tsitsipas, Félix Auger-Aliassime, and Taylor Fritz, who had yet to win one of tennis's four major tournaments.

Tennis fans had no choice but to be patient, but in fact, tennis's new wave was already crashing ashore.

The following night, 21-year-old Iga Świątek and 24-year-old Aryna Sabalenka faced each other for the first time in a Grand Slam, with Świątek earning a comeback three-set victory.

This new generation of tennis stars is taking the sport by storm, and Roger Federer's retirement marks the end of an era, but a new beginning for tennis.

The journalist Matthew Futterman's account of the thrilling and grueling lives of the tennis elite provides insight into the world of professional tennis.

Staying at the top of the sport isn't much easier than reaching the summit, but these new stars are determined to make their mark.

On the court, they are delivering astonishing play, but off the court, they aren’t entirely happy.

The golden age of tennis may be over, but a new era has begun, and Roger Federer's legacy will live on through the new generation of tennis stars.

At the 2022 Laver Cup, Federer broke into full-on sobs as he walked off the court for the final time, marking the end of an era in tennis.

The sport will never be the same without Roger Federer, but it's exciting to think about what the future holds for tennis.

Tennis fans will be watching closely as this new generation of stars continues to emerge and take the sport by storm.

The 2022 U.S. Open marked a turning point for tennis, with the new generation of stars beginning to make their mark.

And now, with 21 major titles won since 2022, it's clear that this new generation is here to stay.

But what does the future hold for tennis, and how will these new stars continue to shape the sport?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Roger Federer's legacy will live on through the new generation of tennis stars.

The end of an era has begun, but a new beginning is on the horizon for tennis.

The sport will continue to evolve, and these new stars will be the ones to shape its future.

So, what's next for tennis, and how will these new stars continue to make their mark?

The world of tennis will be watching closely as this new generation of stars continues to emerge and take the sport by storm.

And with 21 major titles won since 2022, it's clear that this new generation is here to stay.

The future of tennis is bright, and it's exciting to think about what's to come.

The new generation of tennis stars is taking the sport by storm, and Roger Federer's retirement marks the end of an era, but a new beginning for tennis.

The golden age of tennis may be over, but a new era has begun, and it's exciting to think about what the future holds for tennis.