SPORT WEDNESDAY 19 JULY 2017 21 Roger Federer of Switzerland Campbell celebrates with Federer in the winner’s trophy after announces ATP Finals beating Marin Cilic of retirement for record Croatia in the men’s final Chicago of the 2017 AP 15th time Wimbledon Championships efenseman Brian London on Sunday. Campbell is retiring at Reuters Dage 38 after playing 17 NHL seasons and winning the oger Federer has Stanley Cup with the Chicago secured his place Blackhawks in 2010. Rin the ATP Finals Campbell announced his for a record 15th time retirement on Monday. The after the Swiss world Blackhawks say he’ll join their number three won a business operations depart- record eighth Wimble- Federer ‘can’t think too ment, assisting with don title on Sunday, the community and youth hockey Association of Tennis initiatives and marketing. Professionals confirmed “I’m excited to transition on Monday. into the next step in both my The 35-year-old six- professional career and life,” time champion joins far ahead’ nowadays Campbell said in a statement. French Open winner “I’m grateful to the countless Rafa Nadal in the sea- number of teammates, son-ending tournament London Things are different these on to the hard courts, including coaches, team staff and fans at the O2 Arena in Lon- AP days. the US Open, which starts August that I have crossed paths with don, having played in “At 25, when you win, you’re 28. throughout my playing career the event for a record 14 oger Federer has like, ‘All right, I’ll see you next Yes, of course I hope “I have a hard time thinking in Chicago, Buffalo, Florida consecutive years from learned not to take year!’ because it’s normal. You’re I could win three Slams in one and San Jose. The Blackhawks 2002-15 before missing anything for going to be playing, for sure. The to defend my title year. It just sounds totally sur- organization has allowed me out last year through granted. body’s going to be fine, most and, of course, I real to me,” said Federer, who to take on this challenge, and injury. That’s why he likely. And if not next year, well, wish to be back here did collect trios of major titles in I’m thankful for this new “I look forward to Rsaid what he did during the tro- then the year after that, you 2004, 2006 and 2007. “But I’ll opportunity.” returning to London in phy presentation after his know?” Federer said. next year. But we prepare myself the best way Campbell had 87 goals November,” Federer record-breaking eighth Wim- “But I can’t really think two just don’t know if possible, so that I will have the and 417 assists for 504 points said. “I was sad not to be bledon championship: “I hope years ahead now. Let’s be best chance to really excel therz in 1,082 regular-season games able to compete last this wasn’t my last match. And honest.” it’s really going to in New York.” with the Sabres, Sharks, Black- year as I love playing I hope I can come back next First of all, there’s the no- actually happen, His voice sounded deeper hawks and Panthers. Buffalo there and had not year and try to defend the title.” way-around-it matter of his age: says Federer. than usual, a bit of after-effect drafted the Strathroy, Ontario, missed the event since Some wondered whether Federer turns 36 on August 8; he from celebrations into the wee native in the sixth round in 2002.” that meant Federer was consid- is the oldest man to win Wim- hours that included the Wim- 1997, and Campbell appeared The 19-times grand ering retirement. bledon in the Open era, which bledon champions’ dinner and in four All-Star Games. slam winner has won Hardly. What he meant, Fed- began in 1968. drinks with a group of more The smooth-skating, left- five tournaments this erer explained on Monday, was And then there’s what hap- than 30 friends at a bar. Fed- shooting, offensive-minded year, including the Aus- simply: “I can’t think too far pened about 18 months ago: A “I’ve seen how quickly things erer said he didn’t get to sleep defenseman played in 423 tralian Open, and is on ahead.” father of four, he was preparing can change,” Federer said. “Fill- until 5 a.m. consecutive games from 2011- target to return to the “I didn’t think about what I a bath for his twin daughters ing a bathtub for my girls Here he was, about six and 2016. His ironman streak top of the world rank- was going to say. It just came out when he turned and felt a “click” changed the whole next one and half hours later, returning to the ended in December not ings for the first time that way, to show the people in his left knee. In February half years of my tennis life, arena to pose for group photos because of injury but when since 2012 if he main- that, yes, of course I hope to 2016, he had the first operation really.” with 200 members of the tour- coach Joel Quenneville made tains the form that has defend my title and, of course, I of his career, arthroscopic sur- These past six months turned nament’s staff — groundskeepers Campbell a healthy scratch. earned him a 31-2 wish to be back here next year. gery to repair torn cartilage. out OK, though. and others who sat in a corner The Blackhawks signed record. But we just don’t know if it’s He returned to the tour that He is 31-2 with a tour-lead- of the stands while he took a spot Campbell to a $57.14m, eight- Federer and Nadal really going to actually happen,” March, then missed the French ing five titles in 2017. That on a courtside ledge, Wimble- year contract in 2008, and he will be joined at the Nov. he told The Associated Press at Open because of lingering back includes his 18th Grand Slam don’s gold trophy beside him. played almost 20 minutes a 12-19 event by the the All England Club the morn- problems, ending his record trophy at the Australian Open — Then he posed on the court game during their Cup run remainder of the top ing after beating Marin Cilic 6-3, streak of 65 consecutive Grand ending a four and a half-year for a few last pictures, steps from before a salary-cap crunch led eight players in the Race 6-1, 6-4 in the final. “We have to Slam tournament appearances. drought without a major title, a small green sign with white let- to a trade to the Florida Pan- to London standings fol- wait and see.” After a semifinal loss at Wimble- followed by his 19th at Wimble- ters instructing, “Keep off the thers in 2011. He finished his lowing the Paris He didn’t always take that don a year ago, he took the rest of don, where he became the first grass.” So, yes, expect him back career in Chicago and will con- Masters. approach, back when he was in the season off to let his body heal, man since Bjorn Borg in 1976 to on that turf in 2018. Just remem- tinue to live in the area with his his 20s and reached a record 10 missing the U.S. Open, Rio Olym- win the tournament without ber not to take his excellence for family after taking a job in the Grand Slam finals in a row. pics and every other event. dropping a set. Now he moves granted. He won’t. Blackhawks’ front office. NBA: Houston Rockets up for sale NFL: Panthers fire Houston AP Houston GM Gettleman he Houston Rockets are Rockets Los Angeles going up for sale. Forbes has AFP T Rockets CEO Tad named Houston Brown made the announcement the eighth-most he Carolina Panthers on Monday, hours after owner sacked general manager valuable Leslie Alexander made the Dave Gettleman (pic- franchise, worth T decision. tured) on Monday in a surprise “It’s been my great joy and an estimated move just nine days before honor to own the Houston Rock- $1.65bn, in its training camp for the new sea- ets for the past 24 years,” annual valuation son gets under way. Alexander said in a statement. of NBA teams in The Panthers slumped from “I’ve had the incredible opportu- February. being Super Bowl finalists in nity to witness true greatness The value of the 2015-2016 to finishing last in through the players and coaches sale is still not the NFC South last season with who have won championships a 6-10 record. manager but several of moves discosed. for the city, been named to All- Houston Rockets owner Gettleman, 66, had been the angered Panthers fans, notably Star and All-NBA teams, Leslie Alexander. general manager of the outfit letting wide receiver Steve enshrined in the Basketball Hall since 2013. Smith leave in 2014. The deci- of Fame, and done so much for “After much thought and a sion to release Josh Norman last our franchise and our fans.” he’s tired. There are passions in “Well-respected around the its annual valuation of NBA teams long evaluation of our football year also raised eyebrows. Alexander took over as his life now that are becoming league, he has been an active and in February.