Federer's children are his toughest critics
Right now Roger Federer is on the tennis court at the French Open. All this would not be possible without his family. In a new interview, the maestro tells how much his loved ones give him - and to what extent they are not exactly squeamish.
Roger Federer
His children are his greatest luck - but also his toughest critics: Roger Federer. Getty Images
He is back: After three years absence Roger Federer, 37, plays again at the French Open. 20 years after its premiere in Paris - and ten years after its only success so far in Roland Garros.
Federer would not be where he is if his family did not exist. Because she drives the maestro. Above all, wife Mirka, 40. "She made me grow up faster and gave me stability. Also, she has given me of her experience, "says Federer in a new interview with" Paris Match ".
His name does not care for the kids
Federer perfectly demonstrates that the very big players in the sport privately live at least almost normal lives. He, the tennis star, is primarily at home: Roger, the flagship dad. "Sometimes, after winning a big match, my daughters tell me, 'Well, come play Lego!'" Says the 20-time Grand Slam winner about his twin girls Charlene and Myla, 9.
For tennis, the two girls are not particularly interested. Although they accompany their dad everywhere and would love to travel, but her sporting interests relate more to swimming, riding and golf, says Federer. The fact that only his two boys Leo and Lenny, 5, are on fire for tennis and football does not bother the famous dad in any way. "Tennis is a big part of my life, including one of them, but our home is not a home where everything refers to the sport." He wants his girls to live as normally as possible, says the athlete.
If Federer loses, he has the support of his children on safe. "Other times I come home after a lost match and they want to know immediately if I'm fine." But if dad did not play well in their eyes, they let him know unabashedly. "Sometimes they ask me without a filter: 'But, Dad, why did you lose? That was nothing! Or was he really that strong, the other? Next time you have to beat him! "" Roger chats.
The holidays are sacred
Spending time with his children and his wife is central to the tennis pro. Twice a year, the Federer family goes on holiday together. Federer calls this "holy". "When I plan my year, I always start with it!" Sometimes he also invites his parents. "For my mental health, the time we spend together is incredibly important."
The program of travel? No exhausting. "I spend my time in the big cities, combined with the high level of adrenalin all year round. I'm really satisfied with the simple idleness during these two weeks, "says Federer.
The children let him forget the defeats
He was always a well-balanced person, Federer continues. But his family still has great influence on his sporting achievements. "What has changed is that I can very quickly forget a particularly bitter defeat." It was important to hurt a defeat because you learn from them.
He used to be sad the whole day after that. "Today, that lasts a maximum of half an hour." Right at the first interview, he gains in distance. "And when I get home, it's as if the match never happened," says Federer.
Switzerland helps to stay normal
As a successful athlete Federer stands in public. Every step is tracked. "I always wanted to play big matches in front of a large audience, with a lot of pressure," he says. Nevertheless, he is happy he lives in Switzerland. "I manage to lead a normal life with my wife and children. I can not complain. Living in Switzerland, where everyone is by nature very discreet, helped a lot, "says the maestro.
Roger also gets a lot of respect in Paris. Recently he visited an exhibition of the Fondation Louis Vuitton. "There were a lot of people, but they were all very nice and left me alone. They were there to admire the artworks, not to watch a tennis player. "
In 2002, Miroslava Federer, then Vavrincová, announced her retirement from professional tennis. What few know: They and Roger Federer got to know each other in sports. The then 22-year-old met her husband today at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. "We spent two weeks together and got to know each other. On the last day we kissed for the first time, "said Federer once in an interview. In the beginning of their relationship, Mirka was mostly seen in sports clothes.
A normal dad
Federer is not right that he is always adorned with superlatives. "Sometimes a media, sponsors or others give the image of a superman. But this person does not exist. We all live on the same planet. I am fortunate enough to inspire many people to be role models for children. I like that, but I will not put myself in the drawer of the 'superheroes'. "
He keeps his feet on the ground thanks to his family and his team. This is also due to wife Mirka, who is largely responsible for Roger's brilliant career. "There is always a woman behind the success of a man, they say. I am the perfect example of this. »
Federer is fighting for the 21st Grand Slam victory
For the time being, however, the family has to take a back seat: in Paris, Roger Federer is fighting for his 21st Grand Slam title. After beating Casper Ruud on Friday afternoon, the Basel bidder is aiming for his second tournament victory in Roland Garros after 2009. Whether he succeeds? On Sunday King Roger is in the round of 16 and plays against the winner of the match between Nicolas Mahut and Leonardo Mayer.
By Ramona Hirt on May 31, 2019
https://www.schweizer-illustrierte....federers-kinder-sind-seine-hartesten-kritiker
