Roger Federer ended his career by winning 20 Grand Slam titles, but his impact on modern sport has gone far beyond his successes on the tennis court. The former Swiss champion was loved like no other tennis player in every corner of the world and truly represented a style icon.
His legendary career ended in September 2022, when he played his last match at the Laver Cup alongside his eternal rival Rafael Nadal at the O2 Arena in London. His knee no longer allowed him to continue playing at the highest level and the King had to accept reality, although he did everything he could to extend his magnificent journey on the professional tour (undergoing several surgeries between 2020 and 2021).
Roger Federer, Wimbledon 2019© Stream screenshot
The former world No.1 enjoyed life after his retirement, was able to spend more time with his family and developed his greatest passions. As he promised when he announced his retirement in 2022, Roger has remained in close contact with the sport that has made him famous all over the planet.
Federer has attended several tournaments and – if the condition of his knee improves – he is ready to organize some exhibition matches with his old rivals. According to rumors, the Swiss is also set to become the captain of Team Europe in the Laver Cup in the coming years.
Federer reveals his idols
The Swiss Maestro has won more than 100 titles becoming competitive on all surfaces, including red clay. However, there is no doubt that a good part of his legend is linked to grass and the Wimbledon Championships, where he triumphed eight times (breaking Pete Sampras’ record).
Novak Djokovic & Roger Federer, Wimbledon 2019© Stream screenshot
The 20-time Grand Slam champion came within one point of winning his ninth Wimbledon in 2019, but failed to convert two match points in the iconic final against Novak Djokovic. In a recent interview, the former world number 1 revealed that he approached tennis thanks to the Wimbledon tournament: “I think the Boris Becker vs. Stefan Edberg final was my favorite.
I don’t remember which year because they played a few times. Sitting at home in the living room, watching them play, thinking hopefully one day I can be like them, you know.
That’s I guess where idols and inspirations are good. They push you forward. Then along the way you joke around and say it’s coming closer.
“You know, when you win a practice match, you know, you just fake like you’ve just won Wimbledon, you know.”
His love for tennis
The legend from Basel was present this year during the Rolex Shanghai Masters, in which he participated in some events with his sponsors and attended the final stages of the tournament live. The King also had the chance to spend time with one of the brightest talents on the ATP tour – Carlos Alcaraz – with whom he organized a small practice session. Federer and Alcaraz had already met at the 2024 Laver Cup in Berlin, in which the young Spaniard was decisive for Team Europe’s victory.
Denis Shapovalov & Roger Federer, Miami 2019© Stream screenshot
During an interview with Eurosport, the 4-time Grand Slam champion shared all his admiration for Roger: “I think one of the first tennis players who brought these kind of shots, making the impossible possible, was Roger.
I watched him many, many times, his matches. He hit shots, unbelievable shots. Every kid wants to imitate him a little bit, and that’s why I’m trying in every practice, in every match, trying to bring some good shots in the match, to make the people enjoy watching tennis a little bit.”
The Spaniard had a little practice session with the King: “It was an unbelievable experience for me. Having the chance to play with him, it was great.
I just enjoyed so much, every shot, watching him playing the shots so easily. It was a dream. It was a great experience.
I had the chance to talk a lot with him, ask him some questions about when he was playing. It was a masterclass honestly from him.”
The former world number 1 follows the results of the professional tour with great interest and dispenses very useful advice to younger players, who have often approached tennis thanks to him. Federer’s legacy is destined to last forever and his impact on the sport is not quantifiable only with numbers or records.
Most of the records have been taken from him by Djokovic and Nadal, but Roger continues to be a point of reference for an entire generation of athletes. Fans hope to see him back on the court in some exhibition matches, but the condition of his knee is not yet good enough to allow him to play a singles match.
Tennis World USA