“That’s what I will remember — the faces I saw emotional,” said Roger Federer as he drew the curtain on his illustrious tennis career. Emotions ran raw at the Laver Cup more than 2 years ago, at his farewell tournament. The event itself was special for so many reasons. He played doubles for the last time as a pro with his arch-rival, Rafael Nadal. His family and friends were there to support him in the last leg of his career, with one of his daughters tearing up in a heartening moment.

The Swiss Maestro’s documentary, Federer: Last Twelve Days, is out. “Good Bye to Roger Federer, the finest we have ever seen,” as these words are heard, the documentary takes an emotional turn. Federer hugs his team and opponents in tears, realizing that it’s time to say goodbye. The 20-time Grand Slam champion recounts the ebbs and peaks of his career, and he was happy for one thing at the Laver Cup.

“Just happy to play tennis, spend time with my friends,” lines were blurred that day as rivals became friends. Appreciating the long career filled with wins, losses, and injuries, he said, “It has been a perfect journey. I would do it all over again.” Federer didn’t want to change any aspect of his professional life, as he basked in the content glow during his farewell speech before bursting out in tears.

It was at this moment that had everyone in tears. The whole stadium wept along with the champion. His daughter shared her father’s heart-breaking emotions as she broke down while hugging her mother. The father-daughter duo sobs together, as the tennis star tries to regain his composure. After taking a few deep breaths, Federer continues, grateful for everybody present that day, particularly his family. “Everybody is here tonight, girls, boys, my wife,”– he added in tears.

He gets more emotional at the mention of his wife, who has been his support system since the beginning. While Mirka took a step back from professional tennis, Federer climbed new heights in every tournament. An ex-pro tennis player herself, Mirka understood the needs of the player, as she handled their family and his career single-handedly. And Federer could not be more thankful for her support. He further adds, “She has been very supportive. She could have stopped me a long, long time ago, but she didn’t.”

As he ended his professional  journey, the tennis legend was in a dilemma of what’s next. Federer’s life was driven by the desire ‘to be the best’ and, the Swiss Maestro had to start afresh in his quest for the new challenge!

Roger Federer confesses to the dilemma of new challenge after retirement

As he marked an end to his professional career, Federer had all the time in his hand to enjoy what the world has to offer. However, the Swiss tennis star was suffering from the dilemma of what to choose from the vast opportunities that confronted him. He was unable to keep away from tennis as attending matches without purpose didn’t fly by him, but was certain to not pick commentary!

Roger Federer recently revealed what led him away from the potential commentary career. “And then a British journalist was like, you happy to be like super critical… and I’m like whattt. I’m like, is this this… oh my god and here I am smashing every player and talking. And no no no, I don’t want to do commentary anymore.”   

The documentary has taken the tennis world by storm as they see his retirement and reason in a new light! What are your thoughts about the same?