Roger Federer on tennis: ‘It’s been my life’
Federer has kept a low profile in the sport since playing that final match nearly two years ago, with an appearance at Wimbledon last year, as well as a brief stop at the Shanghai Masters.
He was on site for most of the Laver Cup in 2023 in Vancouver, the event having been started by Federer and his management company in honour of tennis great Rod Laver – who Federer is often compared to for his generational greatness – in 2017.
He has otherwise been kept busy with a tour of tennis clinics put on by his clothing sponsor, Uniqlo, while also appearing at a handful of other sporting- or Hollywood-adjacent events.
The documentary also features a rare appearance from Federer’s wife, Mirka, who seldom (if never) gave interviews in their time on tour.
“For the film we just said, ‘Well, let’s capture [Mirka] and she can see how it felt [in that moment]… and then the kids can see how their mum was at the time,” he explained. “And actually, funny enough, I think when she was doing the interview, I went into the bedroom of the children and I told them that I was officially retiring… in ten days.”
Federer won 20 major singles titles to go with his gold medal at Beijing 2008 in doubles (alongside countryman Stan Wawrinka), silver in singles at London 2012. He won a total of singles tournaments, winning matches along the way.
Nearly 21 months later, he said the decision still feels heavy
*”*I played tennis since I was three years old, tournaments since I’m eight,” he said. “It’s been my life. Every time I went on a practice court, basically, I wanted to become the best player or improve… And then all of a sudden it’s all gone.”
The coming Olympic Games Paris 2024 could be a final Olympic appearance for each of Nadal – who has said 2024 is likely his final year – Djokovic and Murray, all who have dealt with injury issues the last few seasons. Djokovic recently revealed a tear in his right meniscus after withdrawing from the French Open.
The Olympic entry lists are due to be released by the International Tennis Federation 4 July.