The Federer name could be back on the courts of Wimbledon and Roland Garros one day.
Tennis icon Roger Federer has hinted that one of his children might be following in his footsteps after revealing their blossoming passion for the sport. The Swiss maestro, regarded by many as the sport’s GOAT, is now soaking up retirement life at the age of 42.
He is loving the extra time with wife Mirka, also a former tennis pro, and their sets of twins, girls Charlene and Myla, 15, and boys Leo and Lenny, 10. The quartet would certainly have a head start should they opt to take up the sport. However, Federer has vowed not to be a pushy parent, just a supportive one.
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“No, I never pushed my kids into it [tennis],” he told People. “They do play tennis, and we ski, and we’re all learning to golf. We recently tried scuba diving. But the girls were never passionate about tennis, and I was relieved about it.”
However, one of his sons is showing a keen interest in tennis. He added: “The boys love their soccer. Leo is starting to show interest in getting serious about tennis. Lenny is much more creative, he’s very into drawing, reading. I’ll jump on the court with them whenever they want.”
As for life off the tour, it is a whole new ball game for Federer, swapping late-night matches for early mornings. He said: “I used to have to sleep in in the mornings because of late matches. It’s completely different now.
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(Image: Getty)
“I get to wake up when the kids do and help get them ready. Then [after school] I get to connect with the kids again over their sports and homework.
“It’s a very vital time for me to be around them, to help them and guide them and obviously let them fly on their own as well. They have their friends and need their playdates. We’re making sure their social aspect is a given.”
Their love for Wimbledon, where their dad ruled for so long, is already apparent though. He revealed: “The other day they were asking if we could go to Wimbledon because they wanted to walk the courts. I’m just happy their life on the road was such a good memory.”