Roger Federer: The Epitome of Swiss Traditions & Sporting Excellence
The recent retirement announcement of the Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer may not come as a surprise to many tennis fans across the globe, however, last week’s statement still led to an outpouring of emotion as one of the sport’s greatest hangs up his racket for good.
“The end of an era”, “the legend,” “champion of champions,” “the GOAT,” “thank you”: social networks lit up minutes after Federer released an emotional video on Thursday announcing his retirement from professional tennis. Tributes poured in from around the world from fans, politicians, athletes, and some of his fiercest rivals.
The career of one of tennis’s greatest span for almost quarter of a century, granting many of us the privilege to eye-witness the journey of Federer becoming a champion in every sense of the word.
Over his 24 years on the tour, Federer played more than 1,500 professional matches in 40 countries, becoming one of the greatest and most recognizable ambassadors for Switzerland.
Federer went on to win 20 Grand Slams and holds the record for the longest period as world number one ranked player. He is widely regarded as the greatest grass-court player of all time having won Wimbledon on eight occasions – a men's record.
With Federer, it was never just about numbers though.
He took tennis to an art form; ‘to watch Federer in the flesh was to savor a particular aesthetic, a glimpse of sport at its most idealized, in which a technically fiendish game became a spectacle of the purest artistry’. Watching his move with grace and execute some of the most difficult and discerning shots with ease and meticulous perfection can only be described as poetry in motion.
He become an inspiration for tennis players across the globe and captivated millions of fans, never has there been one like him, and it is unlikely that we shall have the honor of witnessing another in our lifetime.
His ease, grace and humility on the court defined his persona off the court. He transcended beyond tennis and established the rulebooks that will define the perception of ‘nobility’ of a modern athlete for years to come.
Roger Federer came to represent many qualities associated with Switzerland, excellence, humility, passion, meticulous execution, and many more, making him a sought-after brand ambassador.
It comes as no surprise that Federer was selected as the face of Switzerland Tourism in 2021. His videos alongside actors Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway to promote tourism in the country have already attracted millions of views.
His retirement marks the end of an era, commented by millions across the globe. It comes just weeks after another tennis great, Serena Williams, announced she was also hanging up her racket.
With Federer's departure from the scene, one of the most glorious chapters in sports comes to a close, an inevitable end to a glorious and spectacular sporting career.
The world of tennis won’t forget him so quickly though. Roger has been an idol and a source of inspiration for many, creating a legacy for himself and the sport that will live on.
Today we want to salute and pay tribute to Roger Federer and thank him for all those years he kept fighting, persevering and excelling, raising the bar ever further, taking tennis into a new dimension; of class and elegance. A dimension that unfortunately was not eternal. In the words inscribed at the Philipe Chatrier Court in Paris: ‘victory belongs to the most tenacious one’.
