Touching tributes came in from all over the world for one of the most iconic figures and athletes of all time in the tennis world and indeed, in the world of all sports worldwide. One of the most revered, well-known and loved tennis and sports celebrities, as well as ambassador for many brands like Rolex, Credit Suisse, Mercedes Benz and Uniqlo, Roger Federer announced his retirement and played his final game in the Laver Cup.
Humble Beginnings
Coming from humble beginnings, Roger was a Wimbledon junior champion in 1998 and former ball boy, Federer won his first major singles title at Wimbledon in 2003 at age 21. Playing for an unbelievable run of 24 years, Roger Federer completely changed the world of tennis with his general graciousness and sportsmanship, winning the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award 13 times and he has also won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award a record five times.
He is also an active philanthropist and has organized many charity matches and events to raise funds for children in South Africa and other parts of the world, through his ‘Match for Africa’ exhibition series of matches in which he competed with the world’s best players. Each match has raised over $1,000,000 in support of educational and athletic programs for children in Africa.
A Softer Side of the Tennis Legend
However, despite his impressive achievements there is a softer side to the tennis legend. At his final post match interview, which was anchored by ex tennis player, Jim Courier, it was not all smiles and laughter, even though a cursory glance at his career would seem these are the only emotions he could have ever gone through. In fact, quite the opposite, we saw a much more human side instead of the robot-like efficiency of winning 20 Grand Slam titles, which we were so used to seeing from Roger Federer throughout his long career. He thanked his parents, his wife and his team profusely for supporting him all through his journey and pushing him to win and play for much longer than he had ever envisioned to do so at the start of his career. He got tearful and thanked his fans emotionally and profusely for his incredible trendsetting journey of 24 years at the top of the professional tennis world. All this while, his biggest rivals in his tennis career were also present at the tennis stadium to cheer him on.
He cried openly in front of dozens of thousands of fans at the Laver Cup stadium in London as well as the millions of fans watching on T.V and YouTube. He hugged his family and wife. Perhaps, all boys and men too can observe this historic event and be more open about their innermost feelings rather than being too afraid to show their softer side.
As boys are conditioned from childhood to look and act very tough, it is often discouraged by the society, school as well as their families for boys to show their innermost feelings, which is one of the reasons why they grow up not openly expressing their softer side.
If one of the world’s greatest athletes of all time can show his softer and sensitive side, then why can’t the rest of us? Perhaps, everyone should join in on encouraging boys and men to display their whole range of sensitivity and emotions and acknowledge them for doing so! Surely, the world will be a much better place if this is the norm, rather than the exception.
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