Professional tennis players, especially legends, were known to have annoying habits. Many times players complained about Novak Djokovic’s bizarre habit of taking way too long before he served; Nadal’s was tucking his hair and touching his nose countless times before each serve. Roger Federer recently revealed that his annoying side was “always asking questions”.
The twenty-time Grand Slam winner had a twenty-four year long career, during which he worked with several players and coaches. He however happened to noticed that he asked too many question just to know what was happening around him.
Roger Federer admits to his annoying side
Roger Federer, tennis legend and star, was known for his perfectionism on the court and always striving for greatness. This past weekend, Federer was in Vancouver for the Laver Cup. In a conversation with Eurosport’s Barbara Schett, Roger Federer expressed his mixed emotions when reflecting on his tennis career.
“Maybe an annoying side of mine, I always asked questions. I used to always need to know from my coaches, ‘Why are we doing this? What’s the plan?’ I would not hold back,” Roger Federer said.
“Looking back in time, our weekends here at the Laver Cup, all around the world, the fun moments we had, the intense moments we had. For me, it was always one of the best weeks of the year. No doubt about that,” Federer added.
Federer’s retirement last year saw the end of a professional career that spanned over two decades. In that time, he won six Australian Open crowns, one French Open, eight Wimbledon titles, and five US Open triumphs. He also won gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing with fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka in the men’s doubles.
Roger Federer said that what he missed from his career was, “Of course, I miss seeing the happy faces of people hopefully I was able to entertain. The tour was good to me. I loved it, every moment, but I am happy retired now.
“In the corner were [Bjorn] Borg and [John] McEnroe and their wives and friends, all hanging out, having the best time. It was so amazing to see – and all the players as well. Their whole teams and entourages, letting their hair down and just relaxing. It was great. Secretly, you like to be the center of attention, but at the same time, it doesn’t matter anymore. It’s good the way it is right now,” Federer concluded.
Federer, 42, has won the Laver Cup three times, second behind Alexander Zverev, who has four. He is also co-founded the Laver Cup and has been a great participant in the tournament.
Federer ranks third in Grand Slams title with 20 victories
Roger Federer won an impressive twenty Grand Slam titles in his twenty-four year career. His first Grand Slam title came at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships, after defeating Mark Philippoussis in an intense final.
Roger Federer went on to win the Australian Open, Wimbledon and U.S Open the next year. Though he dominated on grass and hard courts, Roger Federer won the 2009 French Open that saw him complete his Career Grand Slam six years after his maiden Major triumph.
Roger Federer is the first men’s singles player in the Open Era to win 100 Grand Slam main draw matches. Thrice, in 2006, 2007 and 2009, Roger Federer reached the finals of all four Grand Slams in a single year. A feat no other male tennis player has managed to match till date.
Federer, the London 2012 Olympic men’s singles silver medalist and Beijing 2008 men’s doubles champion, won his final Grand Slam at the 2018 Australian Open. Roger Federer’s final appearance at the Grand Slam final came at the 2019 Wimbledon, where he was edged out by Novak Djokovic in the tie-breaker after a marathon match. What a legend he was!