Since his retirement as a tennis pro in September, the hype around Roger Federer has died down somewhat. You don’t hear from him that often anymore, especially on television the Maestro can hardly be seen anymore – at least not on the tennis court. He took the time to appear on New York’s Daily Show this week. Host and host Trevor Noah clearly enjoyed it — and given his chatty mood, Federer himself probably did too.
Some previously unknown anecdotes came to light. Federer spoke about these topics during his 20-minute appearance on the “Daily Show”:
At first, Noah wants to talk to Federer about his active tennis career. Here the Swiss shares his experiences and thoughts, including about the pressure that arises from the success of a tennis player. The first question is always: What now?
“Questions like: how long do you want to stay number one? When will you win your next Grand Slam tournament? What will be your next victory?” That’s a problem, Federer thinks. Instead of enjoying it, you have to move on too quickly, prove yourself.
Two weeks ago, Federer spoke about this pressure at a press conference in Japan. “I don’t think I was really aware of how much this thought is always there and accompanies you. Until you quit your job and then realize that all the stress is gone,” said the Swiss in Tokyo.
Many people aren’t aware of how close you are to your rivals on the tennis tour, says Federer, when asked about the many friendships he’s made over the years.
“We share the same dressing room. We share the same restaurants. Usually we stay in the same hotels. That way we see each other all the time. And we even train together!” Noah and Federer agree that this is probably unique in tennis. He would have trained a lot with Stan Wawrinka (“my man!”) and over time less with Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal – the rivalry and the risk of revealing too much of one’s own game were too great.
Roger Federer couldn’t have imagined a better farewell than at the Laver Cup in London: “Being on the same team, with Rafa, Novak, Andy, that changed the whole dynamic of my farewell.” It was not even clear whether Nadal could really be there – after all, his wife was heavily pregnant at the time.
“I called him after the US Open,” the Swiss recalls. “It was a very emotional phone call because it was the first time I told anyone outside my family and team about my resignation.” Nadal readily agreed: “I’ll be there no matter what.”
“It was great that he could actually be there – with everyone else.” Federer knew it would be very emotional.
Naturally, this statement caused laughter – Federer’s tears in public are world famous, and not least one of the reasons for his popularity. “And I don’t know why, but I do. But I’m happy because somehow it reminds me even more of those moments.”
For his part, Trevor Noah, who couldn’t stop challenging himself, emphasized how much the two had in common. “We are both half Swiss, half South African, we both play tennis and speak several languages. And we’ve split 20 Grand Slam titles between us – awesome!”
The moderator was very happy when he was in Switzerland and Federer called him and offered to show him the country. “You are the best guide!”
Federer still advertises for Switzerland even after his career has ended: he has already made two commercials with Hollywood greats for Switzerland Tourism. Now he confessed that he was extremely nervous about working with Anne Hathaway – not least because the script had changed so many times that he had no idea what to say. “So they made all these teleprompters so I can read from there.”
Then Federer gives a little insight into his plans. He has plenty to do, with four children, his charity and various business activities. But:
“I want to see how I can somehow stay involved in tennis. I’m not sure how it will go from here.” There are not as many courts in tennis as there are in football or golf. “We become tennis players or coaches or commentators.”
After his resignation, rumors increased that Federer could be hired as a commentator on Swiss television.
Federer tells probably the most entertaining anecdote of the evening when Trevor Noah asks him about a rumour: he heard that the Swiss was recently banned from the Wimbledon grounds.
“That’s right,” says Federer. Two weeks ago he had to bridge two hours after a doctor’s visit in London. “Let’s have a quick cup of tea at Wimbledon,” he told coach Severin Lüthi, who had accompanied him. However, he had never been to Wimbledon without playing tennis there. During the tournament, the players receive a badge that gives them access. However, during the other days of the year, the facility is reserved for members only.
He said Lüthi, no problem, he had it under control, got out of the car and ran to the security lady standing in front of the entrance. He asked her how to get to the Wimbledon site. ‘Do you know where the door is? Or where is the entrance gate…?” he asked. “Do you have a membership card?” was immediately the question. “I said to her, ‘Yes, I have one.’ But to be honest I had no idea where it belonged – probably somewhere at home. I really don’t know anything about membership cards.”
Since you automatically become a member after winning Wimbledon, he’s sure to own one. So he asked again how to get to the facility. “She repeated that I had to be a member to get in. ‘But I’m a member. I’m just wondering where I can get in!” And she said yes, but you have to be a member. At some point I realized: okay, this is going to be difficult here…»
The next attempt followed: “Normally I play when I’m here. And there are a lot of people there. And I come in a different way. Now it’s the first time I’m here while the tournament is not running. And I don’t know where should I get in.” The woman replied again: “Well, other side – but you have to be a member.”
“So I give her one last look and now I’m freaking out. And I’m so sorry – and I still can’t believe I’m saying this – because I still feel bad about it.” But he looked at her and said, “I’ve won this tournament eight times. Please believe me.” At that moment, however, he was suddenly no longer 100 percent sure: “Is there seven? Is it eight?”
Eventually, Federer made it onto the property – but only after trying other security guys at another entrance. The reactions? “Oh, Mr. Federer! Very nice to see you. Do you have your membership card?”
If he said no, they would have let him in anyway.
Trevor Noah’s response: “But to praise the woman, I think she deserves a raise. She acted gangster about it.»
Source: Blick
I am Dawid Malan, a news reporter for 24 Instant News. I specialize in celebrity and entertainment news, writing stories that capture the attention of readers from all walks of life. My work has been featured in some of the world’s leading publications and I am passionate about delivering quality content to my readers.
