Robert Federer on life after Roger’s career: ‘I still manage a huge pile of fan mail’

This evening, however, there is an official reason for that. Mother Lynette is still closely involved with the Roger Federer Foundation, father Robert is responsible for the selection of the sponsor athletes. These jobs stayed with them even after their son retired.

Yet saying goodbye to the tennis tour was also a turning point in her life. “We travel a lot less than before, I miss that,” says Robert. He used to go to all the Grand Slam tournaments and Indian Wells, for example, was a beautiful place to play golf.

The couple would now enjoy their remaining trips even more. Robert accompanied Roger to Halle and Wimbledon this year (along with Lynette), and most recently was with him on a shoot in Champagne, France.

Bencic? “Good news!”

But even though the presence on the tennis tour inevitably decreased, Robert Federer emphasizes that he is still following the results of Novak Djokovic (36), Carlos Alcaraz (20) and Co. He is curious what the planned comeback of Rafael Nadal (37) will look like. He also liked American shooting star Ben Shelton (21): “Wow, it’s just fun to watch him. I’m a big fan of his. He’s my new favorite.”

He admits that this is a player groomed by Federer’s agency “TEAM8”. But in the same breath he also praises Shelton’s environment. That is just as important to him when assessing a player: “I am always interested in how the parents behave.”

And of course: Robert Federer also has an eye for the Swiss figureheads. “I read that Belinda Bencic was pregnant,” he says, laughing: “It came as a surprise. But that’s good news! I am of course happy with that.” He is not worried about Bencic’s intended return to tour: “There are plenty of examples that show that you can make a strong comeback.” He thinks of Caroline Wozniacki (33) or Serena Williams (42).

“We like to go to the mountains with our grandchildren”

Another point of contact with tennis that remains is a job he has held for years: “I still manage a huge pile of fan mail. You would think that this would decrease after a resignation. But that is not the case.” He points to a pile about half a meter high that regularly accumulates in his parents’ house.

Robert Federer laughs. He enjoys the task. But the “most important thing” for him is “the time with the grandchildren”. There is a journey with the 13-year-old twins of Roger’s sister Diana (44) – yes, she actually had twins too. Sometimes they keep Mirka (45) and Roger’s children busy: Myla Rose and Charlene Riva (both 14) and Leo and Lenny (both 9).

Robert Federer reveals: “We like to go to the mountains with the grandchildren. To the Appenzellerland or to Valbella.” The family owns two chalets in the mountain resort of Graubünden.

Valbella is one of the refuges and places of relaxation of the Federers. But in conversation with father Robert, one thing emerges: traveling with son Roger can continue for a while.