WATCH: Roger Federer into the wild among lions, rhinos and cheetahs
11/13/2024 06:00 AM
Roger Federer has shared glimpses of his spectacular vacation in Africa, between safaris, breathtaking views, lions, cheetahs and... tennis! Through Instagram, the Swiss Maestro has published a series of photos and videos in which he is seen participating in a safari, aboard an off-road vehicle, while immortalizing lions, rhinos and cheetahs, but also with spectacular views such as a bare tree under a cloudy sky. In one particular video, Roger is also intent on practicing on a tennis court, with the wild nature just outside the fences.
The Swiss is very tied to Africa, both for the projects he carries out with his Roger Federer Foundation, and for his origins, as his mother Lynnette is South African.
"Unforgettable days in the wilderness," wrote the Swiss Maestro in the Instagram post that you can see below. Federer is one of the greatest tennis players in history, probably the most beloved: even today millions of fans want to know details of his career and his life.
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In the video where he practices we can see how - more than two years after his retirement - Roger maintains the grace of his shots unchanged. His one-handed backhand is still delicious, as are his forehand and his movements. The years will pass, but there will always be only one Roger Federer in the history of our beloved tennis.
Roger Federer in the wild. 🐆 🌳 🦁 pic.twitter.com/w0f4uLDAr3
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 12, 2024
Roger is one of the co-founders of the Laver Cup, a competition that this year was held in Berlin and during the Swiss he talked about his career.
"I'm happy to have returned to attend some tournaments, I managed to accept retirement and I still feel part of this world when I attend tennis tournaments. I'm not an alien and I'm not different from others, it bothers me when - during a tournament - they ask me what I'm doing here and hearing people talk like this makes you say: I'll never come back. I'm happy to be able to feel comfortable in the tennis environment again, I feel comfortable as if I were at home and I can also feel good realizing that there is no need to be on the tour anymore," he explained.
Roger Federer talked - among many other topics - about the Clostebol case involving Jannik Sinner.
"It's not something we want to see in our sport, regardless of whether he did something or not, or any other player did it. It's just noise that we don't want. I understand that it's a complicated situation. It's every athlete's nightmare to have these accusations and these problems because we fill out forms all day, every day. Every morning when you wake up, you think: Is there someone at the door who's coming to test me? So it's really difficult," Federer said before dwelling on the statements of some former colleagues: "I understand the frustration of a lot of people. Was he treated the same as the others? I think we're all pretty convinced that Jannik didn't do anything, but the potential inconsistency is that maybe he should have sat out while they weren't 100% sure what was going on. I think that's the question that needs to be answered."
Among the unforgettable rivalries is the one with his friend Rafael Nadal. Under the long and emotional video posted by the Spaniard on social media to announce his retirement from tennis, Roger was one of the first to praise Nadal, writing: "What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come. Thank you for the unforgettable memories and for all your incredible achievements in the game we love. It has been an absolute honor!"
Mil gracias a todos Many thanks to all Merci beaucoup à tous Grazie mille à tutti 谢谢大家 شكرا لكم جميعا תודה לכולכם Obrigado a todos Vielen Dank euch allen Tack alla Хвала свима Gràcies a tots pic.twitter.com/7yPRs7QrOi
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 10, 2024
Federer, in an interview published on the social media of the Shanghai Rolex Masters - where he was present for an event of his sponsors - the Swiss dwelled on the rivalry between Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz and the changing of the guard that is bringing the end of an era to the beginning of another.
"You can feel the changing of the guard: Serena Williams retired, Andy Murray retired and Rafa is getting closer and closer. Novak Djokovic had a tough year in general, but then he won the gold medal at the Olympics and achieved what he wanted. It was incredible for him to achieve that. You feel that everything is changing. Sinner and Alcaraz have won two Slams each, that shows that changes are happening. They are both very consistent and it's great to watch them play. It was impressive to see Alcaraz live at the Laver Cup. He's an incredible player and I think people will enjoy them," he analyzed.
