Tennis champ Roger Federer, 42, has long been known for being a private sports star. Even he admits he never intended to make his documentary – let alone release it to the world!
Then why did former world No. 1 hire filmmakers Asif Kapadia and Joe Sabia to capture footage of his last 12 days of playing tennis as he headed into retirement? He wanted to give the footage to his family as a memento.
“It was supposed to be for the vault, for my children one day, for my children’s children,” Roger revealed. He wanted to pass something on to wife Mirka, their twin girls Charlene and Myla, 15, and twin sons Leo and Lenny, 10.
“I always try to keep private private.”
But things change. And Roger decided to turn the footage into a documentary to show his fans the tense days leading up to his final tennis match at the Laver Cup at London’s O2 Arena in September 2022.
“I only cried six times,” Roger said of watching the film.
FROM RIVALS TO FRIENDS
Two of the greatest players in tennis for a solid 20 years, the one and only Roger Federer and Spanish great Rafael Nadal have a long history as on-court rivals. But viewers might be surprised to hear Roger told Rafa the news of his retirement 10 days before the big retirement news broke!
He also looks back on his first hesitations of Rafa, admitting, “I liked being at the top alone.”
But that didn’t stop the pair from becoming friends. Rafa shares his admiration for Roger in the film when he reflects, “The most important player in my career… is leaving.”
Roger also talks about brash Serb player Novak Djokovic, calling him the “party crasher of Rafa and Roger fans” and even admitting he changed his personality because he thought he should be more like him.
“Did I have to grunt more, shout, sweat? I tried, but it was all an act,” Roger explains. He confesses he underestimated Novak when they met in 2006, saying, “I think I didn’t give Novak the respect he deserved because of his technical flaws.”
A ‘ROGER FEDERER’ TOP FAN
Rafa wasn’t the only one to hear about Roger’s shock retirement before the rest of the world found out – Vogue editor Anna Wintour did as well!
They may seem an odd match, but Roger and tennis lover Anna, 74, have been firm friends for two decades. And in the documentary, he calls her to let her know that he’s bowing out from the game.
Recalling how their mutual love of tennis began their bond, Roger has said, “I didn’t know who she was at the very beginning. She invited me to dinner parties that she hosts always for all her friends and their partners… I realised she’s a massive tennis fan.”
Over the years, their friendship grew and following his retirement, Anna penned a touching essay in Vogue magazine as a tribute to his character and talent.
“I could lean on her for some amazing advice. And she’s always been there for me more as a friend,” Roger says of their bond.
FROM TENNIS GREAT TO BUSY CONCERT DAD
Although the doco ends with Roger Federer looking back on his “perfect journey” in tennis, fans will be pleased to hear that he’s enjoying the next chapter: retirement with a healthy side of dad duties.
“Four children is a lot of work!” Roger says of his big family. But he loves spending time with wife Mirka and their kids before and after school.
“I used to have to sleep in in the mornings because of late matches. [Now] I get to wake up when the kids do. Then I get to connect with [them] again over their sports and homework,” he says.
And he’s also got ample time to take his teenage daughters, Charlene and Myla, to see all their favourite singers!
“We went to a lot of concerts last year,” he says. “We… saw [Bruce] Springsteen twice and Elton John.
“This summer Taylor Swift is coming to Switzerland so of course we’ll go.”
