Robert and Lynette Federer: 'The moment it was out was a relief'
Roger Federer 's parents, Robert and Lynette Federer, commented on their son's farewell to professional tennis - and talked about the weeks before the announcement.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Sep 26, 2022, 10:25 am
In the end, of course, they were also in the thick of things: Robert and Lynette Federer. The parents, closely entwined with the son, the whole pride, the world athlete. Of many touching encounters for Roger Federer, a few minutes after his last official rally as a professional tennis player, the hug with his parents was of course a very special one.
Now Robert and Lynette Federer have told the Schweizer Tagesanzeiger about their son's farewell: "It couldn't have been better, and the timing was right," said Robert Federer. "It was very emotional for everyone, not just for Rogi, but also for the players. Nadal in particular was very touched." Pictures of the Swiss and the Spaniard sitting hand in hand on the Team Europe bench, moved to tears, have been circulated thousands of times in the past few hours.
Despite all the sadness at the farewell of the exceptional Swiss talent, this Friday evening in London was a moment to celebrate Roger Federer and his achievements. And that's what the London audience did in all exuberance: "At two o'clock in the morning the hall was still full. People didn't want to go home at all," said Robert Federer. Ms Lynette added: "You could tell everyone was very appreciative, from the players to the fans."
Federer finds the right place - and the right time
Even if the decision was foreseeable, the parents' melancholy prevailed at first: "You could somehow guess at the time, but you also realized again how much he likes to play tennis and how difficult it is for him to make the effective decision. " When the decision was made, son Roger rounded up the entire family to inform them of his plans. The decision to retire in 2022 was probably made around the appearance in Wimbledon, when the way back brought some setbacks, explains Lynette Federer.
From then on, it was not an easy time for the Federer family, as it took a few more weeks before Federer made his decision public: "It wasn't easy. Everyone we met always asked: How is Roger, his knee? Plays he in Basel, doesn't he play? Does he train, doesn't he train? We hope he comes back again," said Robert Federer. "The moment it was out was a relief." And the decision was a tough one, but one that was made at exactly the right time.
single no longer possible
Because finding a date was anything but easy, the US Open would not have been a good place - also due to the resignation of Serena Williams. But at the Laver Cup "he's in control. In my opinion, this was an ideal time," said Robert Federer. And his wife Lynette emphasizes: "London was always a good place for him. From the junior days to today. On this stage - which is also not very far away for the Swiss, of whom there have always been a lot here - there was a place for him nice place to be on the pitch one last time."
Another important reason: Competing individually would simply no longer have been possible. And alongside long-term rival Rafael Nadal - who had not only become a companion over the years, but especially a friend (the pictures after the resignation showed this impressively) - to compete in doubles rightly felt like exactly the right stage for the Maestro's departure on. And that's why they all came to London: of course, mom and dad Federer too.