Federer Doesn't Regret Not 'Partying Like A Rock Star'
Roger Federer has spent the past 24 years on the road, pursuing his tennis dream. The eight-time Wimbledon champion left home at the age of 14 and, this fortnight, one month shy of his 38th birthday, is looking to win his 21st Grand Slam title at SW19.
His career has worked out OK – 102 tour-level titles, nearly $125 million in prize money and five year-end No. 1 finishes in the ATP Rankings.
Years ago, however, Federer had his doubts about the sacrifices he was making. “In the beginning I thought – it sounds bad – but [that I] sacrificed my childhood. I don't feel like I did. In the beginning, you get a lot of questions about, 'Do you feel like you regret so many things because you left school at 16, went on the road, couldn't party like a rock star?'
“I'm like, 'It's not like I never partied. It's not like I hated my life on Tour in the beginning.' It's definitely a bit of a more unusual route to adulthood,” Federer said.
“I definitely made a lot of sacrifices, I believe, especially leaving home at 14. I think that was maybe the two years that marked my life in the biggest possible way, because I was still very young... I was staying at a different family from Monday to Friday.”
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Federer, however, with the benefit of hindsight and having had one of the most successful careers in all of sport, knows he made the right decisions. “I would do it again. That shows to me that it was all worth it and it was all OK,” he said.
The second seed won his 17th consecutive Wimbledon opener on Tuesday, beating South African Lloyd Harris 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Federer is going for a record-extending ninth Wimbledon title this fortnight.
He was pleased to avoid the upset virus that's quickly spreading around SW19. Sixth and seventh seeds, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas, respectively, lost on Monday, and fifth seed Dominic Thiem fell to 2017 semi-finalist Sam Querrey of the U.S. on Tuesday.
“Any Top 10 seed that loses in the first week, with 32 seeds, is on the more surprising side, I don't care almost who the opponent is. It's almost always going to be a bit of a story.
“For that many guys to lose early... it's just too many. But I guess it happens. Margins are slim,” Federer said.
“I think this first week at Wimbledon really tests your different skill set and your nerves a little bit to that extent, too. Let's be honest, maybe also especially with Sascha and Dominic, it's not their favourite surface. So that they can struggle maybe is a little bit normal. Dominic did have a tough draw. So it can happen. But it's definitely surprising.”
Tsitsipas looked devastated in his press conference. Federer, however, said he can relate to that crushed feeling, having endured his own painful losses as a younger player. The eight-time champion lost in the first round of Wimbledon three times: on debut as a wild card in 1999 (l. Jiri Novak), in 2000 (l. Yevgeny Kafelnikov) and as the seventh seed in 2002 (l. Mario Ancic).
“I understand. I was Mr. Emotional, so I come from that same side. I would cry after losing matches throughout my junior years. Some take it harder. Some take it more relaxed. Some take hours to get over it. Some take days,” Federer said.
“It really, I think, matters on what your personality is. I just feel like when you lose at a tournament like Wimbledon, it means the world to you. [It's] super important, you're so, so down, so sad. Take two hours if you have to, take four hours, I don't care. Go back, come back. I don't know what you do. Take a super shower. Leave all the tears in the locker room. Once you come [to press], you feel like you get it done.
“I don't know how much time they took, but I just feel like maybe taking extra time when you're young, when you're so sad, which can be the case, is maybe the way to go. I'm not sure. I just felt also it was quite rough for them, which is not nice to see.”