Tennis great Roger Federer is relishing his time dedicated to his family and has no rush to embark on significant new projects since retiring nearly two years ago. Premiering a new documentary in London on Thursday that chronicles the final days of his illustrious career, the 20-time Grand Slam champion expressed contentment with his current life. “I’m definitely not bored at home. Life’s great. I’m trying to be the best dad I can,” said the 42-year-old Federer, who has two sets of twins with his wife, Mirka. “What’s next? I want to actually wait and see a little bit. I don’t want to have a million things to do right now. I want to be a good dad, a good husband, and be settled a little bit more before deciding on the next mega project.”
The documentary, “Federer: Twelve Final Days,” captures the emotional journey of the latter part of Federer’s career. Initially meant as a series of home videos for personal use, the film shows Federer preparing for his retirement announcement and provides an intimate look at his tearful farewell at the 2022 Laver Cup in London, surrounded by fans and former rivals. Co-directed by Joe Sabia, known for his “73 Questions” celebrity interviews, and Oscar-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia, the documentary blends candid moments, archival footage, and interviews with fellow tennis legends Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray.
Sabia, who had unprecedented access to Federer at his home and in the locker room, was taken aback by the raw emotions displayed by the tennis star. “I wasn’t expecting him to be so nervous. It was really nerve-wracking watching him be so nerve-wracked because I’m just kind of there observing, not saying a thing, watching as a fly on the wall,” he explained.
Federer, who turns 43 in August, said he was comfortable showing his emotions on screen. “It’s not like I’m crying through 1.5 hours of the film, you know? It’s a tough watch, but a good one,” he noted. “You see the struggles we go through and how vulnerable we are in many ways, and how much the fans and the spotlight mean to me.”
Reflecting on the documentary, Federer said, “It’s such a beautiful moment in time that I’m really curious to find out how people will like it. We’ll see.” As he embraces his role as a dedicated father and husband, Federer remains open to future projects but is currently focused on enjoying his well-earned time away from the sport.
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