![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago0042070745h.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
September 4, 2019, Flushing Meadows, New York, United States of America: Roger Federer attends a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz after losing his match against Grigor Dimitrov on Day 9 of the 2019 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday September 3, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough […]
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago0042070745h.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
September 4, 2019, Flushing Meadows, New York, United States of America: Roger Federer attends a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz after losing his match against Grigor Dimitrov on Day 9 of the 2019 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Tuesday September 3, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough […]
Roger Federer is poised to step back into the spotlight, but this time it’s not on the court—it’s with his upcoming documentary, “Federer: Twelve Final Days.” This documentary explores more than just the last few days of his playing career including behind the scenes. Remarkably, the 42-year-old Swiss tennis icon disclosed that at first, he was nervous about this part of the documentary.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion spoke to the audience during the special screening at the Whitby Hotel in New York City, offering insights into the documentary’s creation. The 20-time Grand Slam champion gave an impassioned speech on his last days on the court, giving viewers a peek at the series’ dramatic journey.
In the same conversation, while talking about having cameras around him, he also talked about how he was literally against having behind-the-scenes footage. He said, “We actually have a little bit of something also behind the scenes because I never really wanted to go…”
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As the former world number one tennis player has always kept a balance between his personal and professional life, he wanted to keep personal stuff for the closest people, keeping his wife and kids away from the limelight. Further, Federer added, “Seeing behind the scenes, that should be protected at all costs for the closet people around me. And then I think then I mean I knew it was going to be a very emotional experience.”
#RogerFederer fans better get your kleenex ready. Can't wait! #Federerdoc https://t.co/nXXxHH87E9 pic.twitter.com/U6OjQYYtgP
— hanay (@hanaycp) May 14, 2024
However, he then went again and completed the BTS part of the series, which will apparently also air following the main story. In addition, the special screening in New York was also attended by his old friend, Anna Wintour, who came to support her friend.
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In addition, the series focuses on the final 12 days of the Swiss legend’s career at the Laver Cup. With in-depth interviews with tennis greats like Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, the series promises a close-up perspective of Federer’s last moments of his career. However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion disclosed a few weeks ago how he got the notion to create a documentary about his last playing days.
Roger Federer’s idea behind the documentary
In an interview with GS Sports, the 42-year-old tennis legend mentioned how he didn’t want to sign up for a full-blown documentary and was not quite up for the idea. However, he quickly changed his mind after being shown the final product, which is one and a half hours long and directed by Asif Kapadia and producer Joe Sabia.
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He stated, “And it’s super emotional, hard-core to watch. So I watch it with Mirka and Tony [Godsick, Federer’s agent] and we’re like, Oh, my God, wow. So next thing you know, it’s like we’re doing one and a half hours, last-12-days-of-my-life type thing. I watched a screening the other day, it was hard-core.”
Not only that, but the Swiss tennis legend also emphasized how it left him emotional and attached to the outcome. Apart from this, it will be interesting to see what tennis fans, especially Federer fans, think about the final output of the documentary.