Fansided

Roger Federer shows vulnerable side in Time’s 100 Most Influential interview

By Veronica Elizabeth Bruno

KEY BISCAYNE, FL - MARCH 22: Roger Federer of Switzerland fields questions from the media during Day 4 of the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 22, 2018 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
KEY BISCAYNE, FL - MARCH 22: Roger Federer of Switzerland fields questions from the media during Day 4 of the Miami Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 22, 2018 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Roger Federer was one of six ‘titans’ chosen to grace the cover of Time Magazine’s 100 most Influential People.

It seems like Roger Federer has it all, having achieved the No. 1 ranking once again earlier this year. It’s amazing that the sports icon continues to achieve so much at age 36, and still gets the better of his younger peers.

So it’s not surprise that Federer was one of the only six of the 100 Most Influential People with his face on the cover. His tribute was penned by none other than Bill Gates. But the video interview included revealed a more human version of the sports “titan.”

The 20-time grand slam champion talked about the difficulty of losing — he’s just like us, well, not really — and how he used to take the losses much harder than he does now.

“In the beginning of my career it was almost painful. [I’d] get disappointed, frustrated, play a terrible match at the end and you’re like ‘should have done so many other things, I shouldn’t have behaved the way I did’.”

He also spoke about how he learned to master his temper so he could approach his matches in the calm, commanding way he’s developed to become the multi-slam champion he is now.

“Today I can analyze it much better in the very moment. I think this is what experience is all about.”

The Australian Open winner talked about the similarities he recognizes in his kids.

“There’s a lot that I still have to teach them and they also do get frustrated and sad when they lose.

“I was exactly the same so I’m happy that they are a little bit like me.”

The father of four is clearly happy being a father, but talked about how much it’s changed his life and the changes it’s brought, and continues to bring:

"I’m very laid back and I think it makes me, I believe, a good father and good husband.Being a dad is a challenge in itself. You always have to figure things out. Trying to anticipate, trying to organize and at the end of the day it all gets thrown out of the window and you’re just trying to figure it out again and then again and again."

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Federer won his 20th grand slam, achieved the record for oldest No. 1 earlier this year, and one of the coveted “titans” on the cover of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential during his off time. Even while he continues to define greatness, it’s refreshing to hear that the father of four sounds like any other dad. Roger Federer, incredible athlete, but also everyday dad.

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