Almost two years after his retirement, Roger Federer made a sensational confession: he couldn’t stand it.
Wimbledon is approaching and it is inevitable for tennis fans, at this time of year, to focus their attention again on Roger Federer, probably the most loved tennis player of all time. In the days in which the documentary dedicated to the last twelve days of his career arrived in streaming, the Swiss player has in fact once again caused discussion for an incredible confession: he admitted that he had never tolerated it.
Although the historical moment is particularly important for the world of tennis and for the young talents who are trying to take up his legacy, that of Rafa and of Novak Djokovic himself, the only one of Big Three still competitive at high levels (at least potentially), Federer this time made headlines not for a comment on his rivals, but for some statements regarding his career.
When he was still a tennis player in the midst of his competitive career, when he fought every week to conquer or maintain the number one position in the world, flying from one tournament to another, there was one thing he just couldn’t bear. And it wasn’t any opponent in particularbut rather an event which, in terms of the regulation, could not be avoided in any way.
Federer surprises fans and tennis enthusiasts: here’s what he couldn’t stand
Interviewed in the last few days by the magazine People, Federer returned to talk about his post-retirement life, stating that he is happier than ever. As difficult as it was to hang up his racket, things went better for him than expected, also because since he stopped playing he can enjoy his family much more peacefully.
Furthermore, retirement also allowed him to say enough to those few things that he just couldn’t stand during his career. For example i anti-doping controls, mandatory by regulation but, from his point of view, absolutely detestable.
“Every day they came to check on usin the morning you knew they would come and you would have to lose at least an hour of your life“, explained Federer, without hiding the great annoyance he felt, throughout his career, for an event that should have become routine, but which could not fail to create discomfort for him.
“Now I know that no one will come at 7 in the morning to knock you out of bed and test you“, commented the Swiss, adding how these small things, in the long run, can become a big nuisance. All the more reason to be happy with the choice made in the now distant 2022. Also because, having passed the age of 40, still putting up with certain rhythms and certain habits would have been absolutely exhausting.
