On June 5, 2021, Roger Federer played in Paris for the last time. In front of empty stands.Image: keystone
Three years ago, Roger Federer left the French Open through the back door. Now the 42-year-old is playing tennis near the French capital Paris, but he is staying away from the tournament. Why?
Simon Häring, Paris / ch media
His departure from Paris was not particularly glorious. He played his last match at the French Open on a cold, wet night in front of empty stands against the German Dominik Köpfer. He did not compete in the 2021 round of 16 against the Italian Matteo Berrettini.
Federer had not travelled there with the aim of winning the tournament again, but to test his body. He played the French Open as preparation for Wimbledon, where he was to play his last singles match in the quarter-finals three weeks later. In retrospect, it must be said: It was an exit through the back door.
Now, four days before the start of the French Open, Federer returned to the French capital. First he visited the State Opera. Then he opened a colorful tennis court in the suburb of Courneuve, four kilometers northeast of Paris – and played tennis with children. The court was created by his sponsor Uniqlo together with the Fête le Mur foundation, which is chaired by France’s tennis icon Yannick Noah.
Federer opens a new court in the Paris suburb of Courneuve.Image: keystone
It was a pleasure to be in Courneuve, he said. He had expected to go to the Champs-Élysées or Versailles when he returned to Paris. “But this is much better. This is where real life takes place.” And even he had never played on such a colorful square.
Tennis with wife Mirka and the children
There, Federer gave an interview to the television station France 2. He was dressed from head to toe by sponsors. When asked whether he missed his tennis life, he said: “I miss the fans and the people I used to see once a year.” He misses training and playing three or four hours a day less when his body is no longer able to cope 100 percent.
Federer said he still plays tennis regularly. With his wife Mirka, with the children or with friends.
On June 20, the documentary “Twelve Last Days” will be released on the streaming platform Amazon Prime. It shows Federer’s last steps on the tennis stage. The work was created by award-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia. He was given exclusive access to Federer’s private archive. His wife Mirka and long-time rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray also have their say in “Twelve Last Days”.
Federer’s last days as a tennis player were filmed.Image: amazon prime
Federer: «Didn’t want a film»
Federer himself says that he initially did not want his life or career to be made into a film. “But I have had so much support over the years. So I said to myself: ‘You know what? We’ll give this to the people.'” The idea came from his manager Tony Godsick. “He said to me: ‘You have to have this filmed. For you, but also for your children. What you do with the material is up to you.'”
“In the end I said: ‘Okay, it’s too beautiful, it’s so unbelievable, the last twelve days were so intense. Let’s do it.'” The documentary will be shown in 240 countries.
Roger Federer was in Paris and in doing so also did a bit of advertising for a film that he himself never wanted to make. But the 2009 winner is still giving the French Open the cold shoulder (for now). “One day I’ll be happy to come back, like I did last year at Wimbledon,” he was quoted as saying by the French sports newspaper “L’Equipe”. “If I come, it will be for a reason. I don’t want people to ask me: ‘What are you doing here?'”
In 2009, Federer completed his Grand Slam title collection in Paris.Image: AP
In Wimbledon, Federer watched the matches as a guest of honour in the Royal Box. The occasion was the 20-year anniversary of his first victory in Wimbledon. Federer left Paris on Friday, two days before the start of the French Open. (aargauerzeitung.ch)
Tennis players with at least two Grand Slam titles (since 1968)
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Tennis players with at least two Grand Slam titles (since 1968)
Novak Djokovic (2008 bis 2023): 24 Grand-Slam-Titel (10-mal Australian Open, 7-mal Wimbledon, 4-mal US Open, 3-mal French Open).
quelle: keystone / thibault camus
Roger Federer cries on stage with Andrea Bocelli
Video: watson
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2024-05-24 18:38:45
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