Player Spotlight: Roger Federer

We all know Federer is a class act. Frankly, I chose Roger to spotlight first because he's still number one in the world in my book. The man has won seven Wimbledon's, for crying out loud! Not only that, but he carries himself with the pose and the passion that every junior player wants to replicate, and every person, tennis player or not, admires. So let's make this all about Fed; what he's accomplished, what he thinks, and generally how awesome he is.

Accomplishments

 



You can imagine how long this column can potentially be. Let's go over the highlights, shall we? He's been at number one in the world for a record 302 weeks. He's record is 891 matches to 202 matches. He's played 290 tournaments, and has won 76 titles. He's won Wimbledon seven times, Australian four times, US Open five times, and French Open once (I know, he has a sore spot there on red clay, poor Fed, just one title). Overall, this is all darn impressive. But also remember, he wasn't always the one Roger Federer. He was once a junior player like all of us. He did play really well in juniors, and was top ten in the world in ITFs when he was young, though. Strive high, fellas!

Biography

If I was writing a book on Fed, which I hope one day I can because it would mean I can drool over how awesome he is in person, I would include the fact that he is, in fact, born in Switzerland, is 6'1, and 187 pounds. He was born August 8th, 1981, and alas, is married and has two beautiful daughters (Myla and Charlene, if you are curious).

His hobbies include golf, soccer, skiiing, friends, playstation (rejoice fellow gamer nerds!), music, and playing cards. His idols are Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg. His sponsers include the classiest of types, from Lindt chocolates (who can forget those commercials!), Moet Champagne, Mercedes, Rolex, and of course, a lifetime guaranteed sponsorship from Nike and Wilson.

He's the #5 highest paid athlete on Forbes, and rocks! Check out this youtube video and you'll understand the power this man has.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNoQ9qz4Q-w

Advice

Like many professional tennis players, Fed is asked for advice all the time. His advice to juniors is smart and amazing, just like him! Listen up, because you are learning from the best!

"At the end of the day it's about the effort that you put in"

"I think kids need to be kids. I don't want to see a 12 year old acting like a 25 year old."

While simple, this is advice is good to the core. If you don't try, or don't come off the court exhausted, someone else has, and they put in, that day, more effort than you. Make it a habit, and you will be perpetually worse than your opponents, but in essence, you are beating yourself. As for the kids quote, I agree with that as well. At twelve, a kid has to enjoy tennis; it's a game and a sport after all. It should be about fun then, not about performance. Sometimes we get so cycled up in rankings and tournaments and wins and bad losses that we forget that at the end of the day a.) a junior tennis player is also a kid and b.) tennis teaches you a lot about life, either in a good way or a bad way. You have plenty of time to act mature; it's okay to act immature once in a while if you're young.

Thanks http://www.rogerfederer.com/en.html and http://www.tennishead.net/news/academy/2013/02/21/tips-to-surviving-junior-tennis for the information and quotes!