Roger Federer’s Sons Break Family Rule After French Legend Lures Them to English Soccer Supergiants

The anticipation of Roger Federer’s upcoming documentary, “Federer: Twelve Final Days,” is getting higher among the fans! The documentary, set to release on June 20, not only showcases his final days on the circuit but also sheds light on some of his behind-the-scenes stories as well. One of those moments includes a scene where his twin sons, Lennart(Lenny) and Leo, are wearing Arsenal football jerseys. Revealing whether they are Arsenal fans or not, Federer unveiled an interesting story regarding it recently.

Roger Federer, who is currently promoting his documentary, recently appeared in an interview with BBC Sport. A brief clip of that interview was released on X by their official account. During the interview, the reporter asked him, “In the film, the boys, both are wearing Arsenal shirts. First of all, how did that come about?” The 20-time Grand Slam champion responded how watching them come back from their soccer practice, wearing Arsenal jerseys, shocked him. His immediate question to them was, “I say in the film where is the FC Basel shirt? That’s what my favorite club is.”

Roger Federer, a huge fan of football, once admitted, “The FCB was my club as a kid, and it is still today… My role models of FCB inspired me on my way.” Therefore, watching his kids support a different team made him curious. However, the 42-year-old former player further illustrated why his sons were wearing Arsenal jerseys. 

“The Arsenal jerseys they had just received shortly before from Thierry Henry, who is a good friend of mine. We have been on vacation together. He’s a really good friend of ours. And he was the one that give us the Arsenal jerseys. So here they walkthrough the door in the Arsenal kits,” Roger Federer explained. Federer’s friendship with Thierry Henry, a French football coach, dates back to more than a decade ago. They are often seen spending time together by going on vacations or even playing tennis on-court.

Therefore, Henry’s (once an Arsenal club captain) gift of the Arsenal jerseys did not come as a shock to Federer. “I know that Thierry doesn’t know about it. I know when he will see the film he will be like, ‘Oh this is so…” It’s so so good. So that’s how it all came about,” he concluded. Roger Federer has often revealed about his passion for football. An ardent supporter of FCB who loves wearing the team’s jersey once said, “I want to let know people who wear my favorite football shirt that I am always behind them.”

However, after seeing all this, one question pops into every tennis fan’s head. Which sport does he like better—tennis or football?

Roger Federer reveals why he chose tennis over football

Although Roger Federer started playing tennis at the tender age of eight, his passion for sports was not confined to tennis alone. Following the FC Basel club since childhood, Federer always held a keen interest in football as well. Similar is the case as years ago, as he is often found on the ground during their matches, cheering for his favorite club. However, when it comes to choosing between tennis and football, the former World No. 1 in tennis has a straightforward answer.

“Tennis, I like that I was the one to blame if I lost. Soccer, I was always the bad loser, sometimes I could not believe we lost, and that’s not Fair. I need to blame myself if I lost. Then, of course, I chose tennis, the most I lost, the most I cried.” However, Roger Federer’s love for football is not over as of yet. Although his sons may have sported Arsenal jerseys, their father’s heart will forever beat for FC Basel.