Roger Federer: "I'm not why I did so well"

Bear Grylls, to whom we owe the famous show "Alone in the Face of Nature" is at the origin of a remarkable documentary on Roger Federer.

An interview without artifice, intimate, facing the camera, fairly short, only 5'52 '' but during which the man with the 20 Grand Slam tournaments confides as rarely.

In this new episode of the BecomingX series, the Swiss evoke in turn his youth, his childhood dreams, looks back on the people who inspired him to reach the top while taking height by evoking his conception of a career high level and the resulting requirements.

Extracts from a document that any young aspiring tennis player must have seen.

Born in a country that doesn't make sport a priority

“In the environment in which I grew up in Switzerland, education always came first.

Sport was not a priority in our way of life.

But despite everything, I remember when I played badminton, ping-pong or tennis, in a friend's garden, we would say: "And the winner of Wimbledon is ... Roger Federer!"

I knelt down and pretended to hold a trophy.

I think I was already dreaming of winning Wimbledon. ” 

His first defeat 6-0, 6-0

The first game I lost 6-0 6-0.

I heard rumors that the local federation coaches started to doubt "Maybe he's not as good as they say".

I continued to train hard.

I started doing more tournaments.

I started to have more success, already as a junior in my region.

Nationally, I became Swiss junior champion for the first time at 12 years old.

Jokingly, I put a sign on the wall that said: "The junior world champion lives here!"

When the Swiss junior team knocked on my dormitory door, everyone laughed. ” 

His difficult teenage years

“When I was 14 I left for the National Tennis Center.

I lived with a family Monday through Friday, and only came home on weekends.

During the first nine months, I suffered tremendously from homesickness.

My results were dropping, I lacked confidence.

I didn't speak the language.

I was really struggling.

Eventually the results started to come back and I felt more comfortable.

It was therefore a rather difficult stay.

But between the ages of 14 and 16, I think these are perhaps the two years that have had the most impact on my life, being away from home, showing myself to be persevering. ”

Her mentor Peter Carter tragically disappeared

“At 16, Peter Carter joined the National Tennis Center.

I had worked with him before at the Basel tennis club.

He's been a very important mentor to me, and if I play the way I play today it's probably because of Peter.

He died in a tragic car accident during his honeymoon in South Africa in 2002. Me and my family advised him to take this trip one day.

Obviously, the news totally shocked me.

My world fell apart.

In a way, it was a real awareness.

That's kind of, I guess, the moment when I shifted up and down and thought to myself that I had to take tennis seriously and I had to maximize my potential.

I didn't want to be a wasted talent.

I will miss him forever.

It's certain." 

The reasons for such success

“I'm currently not exactly sure why I did so well.

We are not aiming for 20 Grand Slam tournaments, we are not aiming for the world number 1 spot anyway, not where I came from, Switzerland.

It's not something that happens quickly or easily. ”

His philosophy of life

"If you are passionate about what you do, keep going, keep believing it, aim for the stars.

Stay positive and surround yourself with the right people.

One thing I believe in: it's important not to waste your talent.

You can still control your mind, your fitness and your efforts.

If you do your best, at least you won't have any regrets and in retrospect you can be proud of what you've accomplished. ”

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