Roger Federer talks about overcoming frustration in youth – a towel ritual like a cozy blanket

For his frequent outbursts of anger on the pitch, he received criticism from his family, as he reported. But Federer and those around him quickly knew that the Swiss had to change his tolerance for frustration if he wanted to win big tournaments.

“This constant wailing, this lamenting, that had to stop”, the 40-year-old knew and asked himself at the time: “How can I just ignore a bad point?”

The record Grand Slam champion was looking for something that would calm him down, like a cozy blanket for a baby. “Something that helps me to withdraw into my world for a brief moment,” said the 40-year-old. His coach at the time helped Federer with a ritual that the Swiss have kept to this day.

“From now on it was said: You can get excited for three seconds. Then you run to the towel,” explained Federer. “Then this is the moment just for you.”

He has kept this towel ritual, which took him to 20 Grand Slam titles, to this day: “Lost point, first reflex – towel,” said Federer, joking: “Later it was also because of all the sweating. “

Federer wants to determine the end of his career himself

Nevertheless, Federer is working hard on his comeback and is not yet thinking about the end of his career: “I wish that I can choose the moment myself. I’m sure I will notice when that moment has come,” Federer told “Interview by Ringier “.