“I was a little nervous”: Odermatt is excited about filming a commercial with Federer

But this request is special: “Odi” would record a commercial with Roger Federer (42). The two great Swiss sports stars united in front of the camera – a first! “I’m a big fan!” says Odermatt. “Always been.”

The skier and the tennis star have met briefly on several occasions in recent years, with both at the top of the guest list. “We crossed paths during the Sportsman of the Year gala,” says Marco Odermatt. “In September 2022 I traveled to the Laver Cup in London to watch him play his farewell match.” Last November, the tennis legend visited Odermatt backstage in Zermatt to wish him good luck for the race, which was canceled due to poor conditions. When sponsor Sunrise asked a little later to stand in front of the camera with Roger Federer, Odermatt didn’t have to think twice: “You can find a day off for such a request.”

Roger Federer, who decided to play professional tennis at the age of 16 and has become internationally known as “King Roger” and “Fed-Ex” (Federer Express), later adds: “What connects us – we are both very relaxed and at the same time we are only satisfied with the best performance.”

The meeting of the sporting giants will take place before Christmas at “The Chedi” in Andermatt UR. A film crew of thirty specialists has gathered in the luxury hotel. Tuxedos and bow ties are ready for the performance of the top athletes. The hotel is in high season before Christmas. But the fully decorated Christmas tree is put aside for the two stars. The first thing Federer does before lunch is drive up in the car – without Mirka and the kids. Odermatt follows shortly afterwards, accompanied by his girlfriend Stella Parpan (26). He comes straight from a race in France.

Bossanova to loosen things up a bit

Guards are on standby. But in the elegant hotel, none of the guests ask for an autograph. Marco Odermatt and Roger Federer know how to handle cameras. But they are not professional actors. To loosen things up, director Martin Werner plays Bossa Nova. Ultimately, the song that creates the best atmosphere – ‘Spooky’ by Dusty Springfield – also becomes the sound for the spot.

The plot: Roger and Marco are guests at the hotel for an event. In the elevator they meet a young woman who stares at her cell phone so absorbedly that she doesn’t realize who she is with. The conclusion: A good radio connection is essential. But sometimes you have to be able to put your cell phone aside so you don’t miss the important moments in life.

Andreas Caluori, Senior Director of Marketing at Sunrise, put on a bow tie himself to celebrate the day and is happy after eight hours of filming. “The fact that we managed to bring the two top shots together is an absolute highlight for us!” Neither journalists nor photographers are allowed into Federer and Odermatt’s mission. ‘We wanted that
“We both feel comfortable in Andermatt and things are progressing quickly,” says Andreas Caluori.

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Marco Odermatt tells us a few weeks after filming the spot
Phone, how he experienced the day. ‘I was a little nervous. But it
a tremendous experience.” That the longer he goes, the more often he is on the same train with him
When Federer is called an exceptional athlete, he takes it easy. «Yes, in Switzerland my success is almost comparable. But that ends immediately across the national border.”

He can handle the hype around him. “Outsiders often think that success came overnight. But I have been participating in the World Cup for eight years and have been successful for four years. As an athlete you learn to deal with attention.”

The will to win that unites

Odermatt, who runs his own Instagram account with 374,000 followers, uses his cell phone most when he’s on the road to stay in touch with his loved ones back home. Also always present: the doping app, in which he has to enter his location day and night. “It can happen that someone comes by unannounced for a test at six in the morning. This applies to all top athletes.”

Roger Federer, who has been traveling around the world for a long time, comments on the joint performance via voice message shortly afterwards. “It’s easy to talk to Marco: he’s just as fast as he appears in the media.” He appreciates Nidwalden’s unbridled will to win. “At the same time, Marco is happy with the successes of others and suffers when things are not going well for him.”

Thanks to “Odi national”, King Roger has rediscovered a passion from his childhood. “Now that I have more time, I watch ski races on the weekends and get excited.” What advice does he give to his younger colleague from his own experience? «Know who to listen to: the people around you. Ultimately, what matters is what these people think.” But most importantly: “That Marco does not lose the pleasure of skiing because of everything else that is expected of him.”

The joint spot will be launched across Switzerland next Monday. Did the two keep in touch after filming? Federer: “I have saved Marco’s name in my contacts, but not his number. I don’t know how this could have happened.” Maybe because ‘Odi’ didn’t ask out of respect. “I know what it’s like when everyone wants something from you. Even though the urge was there, I held back,” the man explains from Nidwalden soberly. And adds: “But we will definitely see each other again. Then there might be time to exchange numbers and keep in touch.”