The Maestro in January 2023: skis, paddle and not a bit of melancholy
While his (ex) colleagues in Australia are fighting for the first Grand Salm title of the year, Roger Federer is enjoying what he hasn't been able to enjoy in his career lately: snow and skiing in January - as well as a round of paddle tennis.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jan 24, 2023, 07:29 am
If you were born and raised in Switzerland, snow and skiing are just as much part of your DNA as cheese and chocolate. So much for the cliché. But behind every cliché there is usually at least a grain of truth. And Roger Federer seems to have missed this cliché a lot in recent years. At least that's what it looks like on his Instagram channel. There, the Swiss spoke up and posted a video showing him doing some turns in a winter wonderland.
Under the video he wrote: "It's been fifteen years, feels so good to be back on the slopes". Provided with the hashtag #newbeginning. He chose the song "Anti-Hero" by US superstar Taylor Swift as the music for his post. Famous commentators soon appear under the video. Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn writes that skiing is like cycling – you never really forget how to do it. And the Swiss skier Beat Feuz immediately offered him a place on the Swiss downhill team after he himself resigned last Saturday.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cnu_-ihg_qe/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=26748f78-b447-44f6-b66f-81b3f0ef29bf
While his (ex) colleagues in Australia are sweating, tennis pensioner Federer is having a good time. He also tries out new sports. Just a few weeks ago, a video appeared on the Internet showing the Swiss player playing paddle tennis. At that time he picked up the racket in Dubai, together with his long-time coach and friend Severein Lüthi, he stood there on the court in significantly warmer temperatures. No trace of longing for the tournament Down Under.
Finally doing what you want to do
If you watch Roger Federer in the last few weeks, he doesn't seem to miss the tennis tour at all. He enjoys the things he couldn't or didn't want to do before. Federer, who played his last match at the Laver Cup in autumn 2022, had often raved about his passion for skiing during his career, but described himself as a much too fast driver. In addition, his knees are not used to the pressure of the ski boots. He preferred not to.
Now Roger Federer doesn't have to do without anything anymore. Not for a fast descent down the slopes. Not for a paddle match in Dubai. Life as a tennis pensioner is not that bad.