Partnering with Roger Federer will be a dream come true for every tennis player, but who does this Swiss maestro wish to play doubles with? Federer is currently hitting the headlines for his Amazon Prime docuseries Federer: Twelve Final Days after storming the fans’ hearts for 24 years with tennis brilliance. As his documentary takes the fraternity into a whirlwind of emotions, Federer finds old pal and idol Bill Gates’ motivation to “get back on court soon.”

Roger Federer in his official Instagram story, shared a photo with Microsoft’s owner Bill Gates, holding hands after a tennis match. Gates, who initially shared the image on his Instagram added a heartwarming caption for the Swiss former tennis maestro and wrote- “@rogerfederer is incredible, on and off the court.” Gates’ adorable tribute to Federer didn’t cross the legend’s eyes and Federer was quick enough to reshare it in his story. “Let’s get back on court soon partner” – said Federer with a handshake emoji. This interesting conversation between the two legends caught the fraternity’s eyes and they were delighted to see the possibility of watching Federer play with Bill Gates.

On that note, Bil Gates once openly spoke about his wish to share the court with the former world’s number-one ATP star. “I wonder if I could play tennis with Roger Federer.” In 2017, Gates played doubles with Federer for Federer’s Match 4 Africa exhibition match in Seattle Key Arena. “This is a dream come true…, I’m a huge fan of Roger Federer’s work on and off the court, and this Saturday I’ll get to play a match alongside him”– wrote Gates on his Facebook timeline.

Then again they met in 2018 and raised $2.5 million with their doubles exhibition match in Silicon Valley. After that, in 2020, this billionaire businessman again played doubles with Federer for the Swiss maestro’s “Match in Africa” exhibition match in Cape Town.

“I’m excited to team up with @rogerfederer again for the Match in Africa Friday in Cape Town. Playing alongside Roger is always a thrill, and I can’t wait to face off against @RafaelNadal and @Trevornoah”- Bill Gates tweeted showing his enormous enthusiasm to play tennis with the Swiss legend.

Gates showed his admiration for Federer during his professional days and surprised everyone with a heartwarming message on the Swiss legend’s retirement. “You’ve been an incredible friend to me and an inspiration to an entire generation of tennis players. I’m lucky to have seen you work your magic on the court many times. And I’m excited to watch your philanthropic work grow in this next phase of your life”- Gates tweeted.

While Bill Gates’ emotions are truly understandable given Roger Federer’s sheer brilliance, the former tennis legend also shared a humble and respectful attitude towards the Microsoft founder. Given Federer’s knack for philanthropy and social work and his intense charitable work in Africa, he must have felt inspired by a philanthropist like Gates.

Roger Federer thanked Bill Gates saying he “look up to” the Microsoft founder “for everything” he does

Despite being a 20-time Grand Slam winner, Federer’s humble and grounded personality has created a separate fan base. In March 2018, Federer partnered with Gates in San Jose’s Sap Centre to raise funds for the Roger Federer Foundation to support education in six Southern African countries and Switzerland. Federer thanked Gates’ participation and said- “I look up to you for everything you do, so thank you, and thank you for being a great, great partner tonight too. Thank you for being part of the Match For Africa again.”

The head of Federer’s management team also said in 2017- “Roger has enjoyed getting to know him, He always refers to him as the Godfather of Modern Global Philanthropy.” 

Roger Federer and Bill Gates’ interaction made the fraternity nostalgic. It also showed how the two legends never fail to surprise their fans with respect for each other.