Roger Federer was born on 8 August 1981, the son of a Swiss father and a South African mother, and grew up in the Basel suburbs of Riehen and Münchensteinauf. His mother’s origin explains Federer’s English pronunciation of his given name, which is not the typical French pronunciation that would be usual in Switzerland. He began to play tennis at the tender age of three, joining his first major club, ironically the “TC Old Boys” at the age of eight. It was here that his playing skills were decisi ...
moreRoger Federer was born on 8 August 1981, the son of a Swiss father and a South African mother, and grew up in the Basel suburbs of Riehen and Münchensteinauf. His mother’s origin explains Federer’s English pronunciation of his given name, which is not the typical French pronunciation that would be usual in Switzerland. He began to play tennis at the tender age of three, joining his first major club, ironically the “TC Old Boys” at the age of eight. It was here that his playing skills were decisively improved thanks to the dedication of the club’s trainers. But to begin with, his sporting successes were rare, and it was only gradually that he improved to finally become the absolute master of his sport. Today, although his career seems far from being at an end, Roger Federer can already look back on an unparalleled career, having won 15 grand slam singles tournaments and been the number one in the tennis rankings almost without interruption since 2004. What’s more, Federer is the only player who has managed to win three grand slam titles in the same season three times. He was the second player (after the legendary Björn Borg) to win the famous Wimbledon tournament five times in a row, and he is the only player to have won the US open five times in succession. It was achievements like these that got Federer voted world sportsman of the year in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Even while he is still active in the sport, he is already being referred to by almost all the experts as one of the best, and often indeed as the best player of all times. Roger Federer is regarded as the most versatile player in modern tennis. His basic approach is to work from the backline, and although his net play has improved in recent years, he has won most of his points from balls from the back of the court. His most spectacular and most successful stroke is his forehand, voted by the renowned “Tennis Magazine” as the best in the history of the sport.
Another impressive aspect is Federer’s social commitment. One example is his creation, in December 2003, of a foundation to help finance for aid projects for children in South Africa. He was also involved in the Tsunami aid organisation after the December 2004 disaster, playing a number of charity tournaments in support of the victims. In April 2006, Roger Federer became the first Swiss appointee as UNICEF ambassador.
less
)
