Roger Federer’s moving confession on his Amazon docu-series: “I cried six times

Amazon Prime will produce a docu-series relating to the last twelve exciting days of Roger Federer’s career, who gave his farewell to the Laver Cup 2022.

The series, was announced last February, is creating hype and excitement among many fans of the Swiss Maestro, who will analyze in detail his touching farewell to tennis, after a legendary career.

In a recent interview with GQ Sports, the former Swiss tennis icon talked about the birth of the project which will also involve Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, with some interviews in which his historic rivals will talk about their epic challenges on the court,

“I don’t know how to explain it. It was something I didn’t want to do. It’s like writing a book. I didn’t want to write a book. I wasn’t ready to write my story. So it was never an idea. Then, when the end approached, and once the Laver Cup was set, the question was: Do we want to document something? Maybe more for my story, for my children, for friends, coaches and my team. How about we film some stuff? Then at least we would have something, because we have almost no behind the scenes of my life because I never want anyone around,” said Federer.

Roger Federer and his wife Mirka© Clive Brunskill / Staff Getty Images Sport

 

“So they came and I said, Well, you probably want to see before, during and after. And then Joe (one of the two directors of the series – ed.) said to me: Hey, I have so much footage and it’s so incredible that it would be a waste not to share it. Can I suggest you a one-hour documentary? And I said: Ok, sure, but that’s not the point.

But yes, sure, let me see. And it’s super emotional, hard to watch. I watch it with Mirka and Tony Godsick, Federer’s agent and we think: Oh, my God, wow. And immediately afterwards we found ourselves making an hour and a half of film, as if it were the last 12 days of my life. I went to a screening the other day, it was tough. I cried like six times,” he explained.

“I think there are a lot of moments where you feel the suffering that I was talking about. You see the end and there’s this final point, but it’s beautiful.
But probably for me too, from an emotional point of view, it was hard.

I wonder how the viewer will see it. But I think maybe it’s very cool and for a lot of athletes it will be cool to see how I came out. We’re talking about mental, emotional suffering. It goes through the body, literally. It’s an experience that involves the whole body. It makes you say: Oh, my God,” tod Roger.

The directors of the docufilm will be Joe Sabia and Asif Kapadia, who proposed the idea to Federer in view of his last official appearance. The former Swiss tennis player explained why he decided to tell his story.

An emotional and nostalgic story from the 20-time slam champion, who bid farewell to tennis at the 2022 Laver Cup after more than 20 years of success.

Roger Federer explains why he doesn’t miss tennis

Also in the exclusive interview given to GQ Sports, Roger Federer talked about the days relating to his farewell to tennis. Federer has always tried not to identify himself only as a tennis player and the wonderful family created with Mirka offered him the perfect assist.

Team Europe at the Laver Cup 2022© Julian Finney / Staff Getty Images Sport

 

“Tennis was my identity, but I didn’t just do that every day. I’m a father, a husband and a son. Playing tennis was my hobby and then it turned into my job. But I always tried not to identify myself only as a tennis player.

I think this mentality has been a strong point of mine throughout my career. I knew that one day I would have to live without playing tennis. I don’t actually miss tennis.

I feel really at peace, maybe because I know that my knee and my mind don’t allow me to be on the pitch. I gave it everything I had and I feel at peace now. I love playing tennis with my children. I always thought about what it would be like to play without having the goal of improving.

Who cares if I miss a forehand anymore? I think it was quite easy to dive into life after tennis. I actually don’t have enough time in the day. I love being surrounded by people and friends, and I’m very sociable.

I think it helped that I didn’t have to sit alone in a room. I feel like minutes matter more now than before. I don’t know if it’s also an age thing, you feel like time is slipping away from you and you still have a lot to accomplish,” he analyzed.