I don’t know if I can truly sum up and put into perspective every single one of his contributions to the sport. Every time I try something new comes up — some inventive shot, an interview, a moment where he converted a casual non believer into seeing the beauty in the game. Even tonight, he invented the “through the net hole” shot. Fitting.
For me it started as a kid, who didn’t play tennis, didn’t have friends, family, or even acquaintances who played tennis, watching this bizarre game on TV.., and yet never once feeling alone in enjoying the sport. You never felt alone watching Federer, because you were in the unmistakable presence of genius. Like listening to Pavarotti sing or Korbut do gymnastics — you have basically no clue what’s happening on a material level, but inside you know you’re witnessing greatness, someone born to do this exact craft, expressing the highest form of self-actualization. That was Roger Federer.
I was clueless, in hindsight - and too young to truly understand what I was watching, or how to follow tennis outside of Slams, or even play the sport itself… but I am forever envious of my younger self for that spark of recognition, seeing Federer’s early career unfold live and realizing I was watching something historically relevant.
He was a true icon across nations, languages, and cultures that comes along very rarely in life, and is undeniably one of the biggest superstars of the modern age in any discipline. He handled the limelight better than any athlete I have ever seen.
I actually wasn’t expecting to be this emotional tonight - it’s rare for me to truly tear up and be emotionally affected by something on a screen. It centers around how much nostalgia and personal growth is wrapped up in Federer and tennis as a sport - I grew up with his career, and so much of my identity includes the years I spent following him and tennis in general. He truly transcended the sport in a way that I’m not sure we will see again, he raised the stakes on tennis tournaments and forever changed the profile of the sport itself. He truly set a standard for excellence and inspired two of the greatest players ever — hearing Djokodal’s emotional words about him pushing them to new heights confirmed how much even they owe to him, as the trailblazer of the Big 3.
To me, it does feel like something bigger than just Federer’s career ended tonight, something more powerful and important. Federer has given so much to the sport and I truly cannot thank him enough for teaching millions of us to truly fall in love with the game of tennis itself. That is his ultimate parting gift.
For me it started as a kid, who didn’t play tennis, didn’t have friends, family, or even acquaintances who played tennis, watching this bizarre game on TV.., and yet never once feeling alone in enjoying the sport. You never felt alone watching Federer, because you were in the unmistakable presence of genius. Like listening to Pavarotti sing or Korbut do gymnastics — you have basically no clue what’s happening on a material level, but inside you know you’re witnessing greatness, someone born to do this exact craft, expressing the highest form of self-actualization. That was Roger Federer.
I was clueless, in hindsight - and too young to truly understand what I was watching, or how to follow tennis outside of Slams, or even play the sport itself… but I am forever envious of my younger self for that spark of recognition, seeing Federer’s early career unfold live and realizing I was watching something historically relevant.
He was a true icon across nations, languages, and cultures that comes along very rarely in life, and is undeniably one of the biggest superstars of the modern age in any discipline. He handled the limelight better than any athlete I have ever seen.
I actually wasn’t expecting to be this emotional tonight - it’s rare for me to truly tear up and be emotionally affected by something on a screen. It centers around how much nostalgia and personal growth is wrapped up in Federer and tennis as a sport - I grew up with his career, and so much of my identity includes the years I spent following him and tennis in general. He truly transcended the sport in a way that I’m not sure we will see again, he raised the stakes on tennis tournaments and forever changed the profile of the sport itself. He truly set a standard for excellence and inspired two of the greatest players ever — hearing Djokodal’s emotional words about him pushing them to new heights confirmed how much even they owe to him, as the trailblazer of the Big 3.
To me, it does feel like something bigger than just Federer’s career ended tonight, something more powerful and important. Federer has given so much to the sport and I truly cannot thank him enough for teaching millions of us to truly fall in love with the game of tennis itself. That is his ultimate parting gift.
