20 Interesting Facts About Roger Federer

Roger Federer is truly a Swiss ace. This 6-foot 1-inch genius has the most impressive stats you’ll ever find in an athlete. He constitutes a blend of tennis greats like Pete Sampras, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Boris Becker, and Arthur Ashe, and hence, is considered much better than the lot. Blossoming his tennis skills at the age of 8, he’s well known for his techniques, natural ability, cool and composed temperament. Let us explore some interesting facts about this Tennis legend:

GIF: gifer.com

1. Raised Near The French-German Border!

Roger Federer child

Roger Federer was born on 8 August 1981, in Basel, Switzerland. His father, Robert Federer, is Swiss, and his mother, Lynette Federer, is a South African. He has an older sister, Diana. He spent his childhood in nearby Birsfelden, Riehen, and then Munchenstein, close to the French and German borders.
Source: Wikipedia, Image: rogerfedererthechamp.blogspot.com

2. Sports Is In Blood

In his early years, he gained interest in sports. He was more inclined towards tennis but also played badminton, cricket, football, and basketball, which proved to be beneficial in improving his fitness, agility and hand-eye coordination.
Source: biography.com

3. Sports Over Academics

In order to establish a career in tennis, he compromised with his academics at the age of 16.
Source: ibtimes.com

4. Start With A Bang!

Roger Federer young

In 1998, he won the Junior Wimbledon, where he won both the boys’ and singles final. Later that year, he lost the US Open Junior final to David Nalbandian. He won 4 ITF junior singles tournaments in his career.
Source: Wikipedia, Image: rogerfedererthechamp.blogspot.com

5. Lost His First Final!

ATP champion

In 1999, he entered the top 100 rankings in tennis. He played his first final at the Marseille Open in 2000, which he lost to Marc Rosset. His first title came in 1999 on the Challenger tour; winning the doubles event in Spain, and in 2001, he won his first singles title in Milan Indoor tournament, against Julien Boutter.
Source: Wikipedia, Image: Flickr

6. And He Became A Sensation!

Roger Federer playing

At the 2001 Wimbledon, he erupted as a sensation by knocking out the great Pete Sampras in the 4th round.
Source: biography.com, Image: Flickr

7. First Grand Slam Title

Two years after his Wimbledon debut, Federer became the first Swiss man to win a Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, against Mark Philippoussis.
Source: biography.com

8. His Golden Year

Roger Federer champion

In 2006, Federer won 12 singles titles with an impressive match record of 92–5. Federer reached 16 of the 17 finals during this season.
Source: Wikipedia, Image: Flickr

9. Federer: A Vegan!

Until the age of 14, Federer was a vegan. But, later he found interest in non-veg food and now eats whatever fills his stomach.
Source: telegraph.co.uk

10. Father of Double Twins!

Roger Federer family

In 2009, Federer got married to Mirka Vavrinec, a former WTA player. He’s a proud father of 2 twin girls, Myla Rose and Charlene; and of 2 twin boys Leo and Lennart.
Source: tennisworldusa.org, Image: dailymail.co.uk

11. A Benevolent Person

Roger Federer with fans

Being a benevolent and graceful personality, he established ‘Roger Federer Foundation’ in 2003, which provides relief operations such as food, shelter and other basic necessities. He is also a brand ambassador for UNICEF.
Source: lifegate.com, Image: Flickr

12. Richie Rich

With the earning around $78 million (as in 2018), he is counted amongst the richest sports personalities ever. He possesses luxurious houses and villas in Dubai, Swiss village of Valbella, and in Wollerau, south of Zurich.
Source: forbes.com

13. Anti-Feminist!

Roger Federer interview

According to him, male tennis players invest more time in the field, and the more one does, the more one should earn.
Source: tennis.com, Image: Flickr

14. No Doubt, He Is The Legend!

champion

With 20 Grand Slam titles, he’s certainly one of the best players that tennis has ever produced.
Source: atpworldtour.com, Image: Wikipedia

15. Tennis Idols

Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg have always been his Tennis role models.
Source: mid-day.com

16. Roger And Juliette

Juliette

After winning his first Wimbledon title in 2003, a cow was gifted to him, named ‘Juliette.’
Source: mid-day.com, Image: tennis.com

17. Roger Federer Postal Stamp

Roger Federer stamp

In 2007, Roger Federer became the first living Swiss person to be featured on a Swiss stamp. The postage picture features Roger holding the Wimbledon trophy.
Source: rogerfederer.com, Image: rediff.com

18. Roger Federer Allee!

Roger-Federer-Allee-in-Halle

You know that you have made it big when you have a street named after you, and there is a street in Halle, where the Gerry Weber tournament is held, called Roger Federer Allee.
Source: rogerfederer.com, Image: livetennisguide.com

19. Never Retired

Roger Federer has never retired from a match.
Source: usatoday.com

20. The Only Individual To Have Won…..

Well, here’s another feat by this tennis legend; by winning the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year award four times, he is the only individual to do so.
Source: bbc.com