The withdrawal of Roger Federer of professional tennis marked the end of an era in the sport, after a stellar career with 20 Grand Slam titles, among other records. However, the transition brought renewed peace for the Swiss tennis player, who now dedicates himself to creative projects and his family, with a different and serene perspective on life away from competitions.
The Laver Cup 2022 in London was the scene of their emotional farewell. Federer, accompanied by rivals and friends who became teammates, such as Rafael Nadal, faced a mix of emotions in what would be his last tournament.
“Being in a team environment and surrounded by those closest to me allowed me to tell the world: this will be the day,” he said in an interview for the magazine GQ. This intimate setting allowed him to say goodbye on his own terms, surrounded by support and in a space that always provided him with security.
Together with his wife, Mirka Federerexplored his passion for design and fashion, an area where he poured his creativity and interest. Mirka’s influence was central to this transition, guiding and motivating Roger in his off-court projects.
For the athlete, the end of his sporting career It wasn’t a loss.but a transformation towards a full and satisfying life. The numerous injuries and intense physical efforts in recent years weighed on his decision to retire, and today he enjoys a more balanced rhythm and without the constant pressure of competition.
From that moment on, Federer He didn’t look back. Free from daily discipline and competitive commitment, today his life is a mix of design projects, family life and constant travel. He became a regular face in red carpets and, although the Swiss once feared these events, today they enjoy them as another space for discovery.
“I feel like going out and meeting people and doing different things is very attractive to me, although before I was afraid of red carpets, small talk and all that,” Federer tells GQ. But after years of discomfort in tuxedos, he now feels in his element. Fashion is a growing interest in his life, and he is currently collaborating on a line of sunglasses with Oliver Peoples.
The Swiss confesses that his interest in style and fashion comes largely from Mirkahis wife. “He was always very elegant and loved cars, watches and fashion,” explains Federer, noting how she opened up a world to him that he didn’t know about.
It was a change of perspective that began in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Gameswhen he was a young 18-year-old tennis player. Mirka, three years older and with an outgoing personality, motivated him to visit museums and appreciate fashion as an expression of style and character. Today, he enjoys these collaborations and creative projects, an extension of his identity outside of sport.
Despite the profound transformation in his life, Federer admits that tennis is still present, although in a more relaxed way. No wonder the demands of the circuit, but he stays up to date with the results and helps young tennis players with some technical advice.
However, its competition with Nadal y Djokoviclifelong rivals, transformed a feeling of mutual respect and support. “I feel good. It is appropriate that I am the first to leave, I wish they can continue as long as I have,” he says, happy to be a spectator of his friends’ achievements on the circuit.
a month ago, Nadal made a post on Instagram, where he published his farewell in professional tennis. Federer did not want to miss the moment to say a few words to his dear friend: “Incredible race Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable moments and for your incredible achievements in the sport we love. It has been an absolute honor!” He thinks about it, and then he repeats that: “Suddenly, one day you wake up and you are no longer a professional tennis player.”
In an unexpected project, Federer agreed to document his last days as a tennis player in a film for Amazon. The idea of making the documentary did not come from him, but he agreed thinking about preserving his story for his children and his inner circle.
Roger remembers telling him to filmmaker Joe Sabia that upon seeing the preliminary version, emotion overwhelmed him. “I cried like six times.”he confesses, describing the intensity of reliving those days. The film, more than a story of successes and defeats, explores the human side that gave everything on the field.
Away from the courts, Federer is immersed in his role as father of his two pairs of twins: girls, 14 years old, and boys, 9. Although tennis is part of family life, it does not require them to play at a professional level. “I don’t want my kids to be the only ones in our circle who don’t play tennis,” he jokes.
The athlete explains that he does not seek to train them, but rather to accompany them as another father. They downplay their own achievements and let their children discover it at their own pace.
Life outside of tennis, according to Federer, is a completely different experience from competing in the Grand Slams, and although he jokes that he has never felt as much stress as he does now, he knows that it is a stage that deserves his attention. “Being a parent is a different form of stress.”she says, reflecting on the pressure of raising her children and accompanying them in their growth.
Roger Federer, today, embraces a life without the intensity of the courts, but with an agenda full of projects and meaningful moments with his family. He looks forward with a peace that allows him to explore other aspects of his personality and find satisfaction in the small details of his daily life.
When remembering his career, he affirms that he left everything on the field and that this tranquility allows him to live this present fully. “I am proud and happy for what I achieved,” concludes the champion, who now takes on life as a new challenge.
