Digest

Roger Federer, widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, joins Trevor Noah on "What Now" to discuss his retirement from professional tennis. Federer shares his thoughts on his documentary "Federer: 12 Final Days", which captures the last 12 days of his playing career. He reveals that the documentary was initially intended as a personal archive for his family but was later shared with the public due to its intimate and emotional nature. Federer also reflects on his long-standing rivalry with Rafael Nadal, emphasizing the mutual respect and camaraderie they share despite their fierce competition. He discusses the importance of relationships and the sacrifices made in pursuing a professional athletic career. Federer also talks about his future plans, including his new sunglasses brand, his philanthropic work, and his desire to spend more time with his family. He acknowledges the emotional toll of retirement but expresses his excitement for new opportunities and experiences. The conversation delves into Federer's unique perspective on the world, his Swiss identity, and his approach to life after tennis.

Outlines

00:01:18

Introduction and Guest Introduction

This Chapter introduces the podcast "What Now" and welcomes Roger Federer as the guest. Trevor Noah highlights Federer's status as a legendary tennis player and discusses the documentary "Federer: 12 Final Days" which chronicles the final days of his professional career.

00:01:59

Federer's Retirement and the Documentary

This Chapter delves into Roger Federer's decision to retire from tennis and the creation of the documentary "Federer: 12 Final Days." Federer explains that the documentary was initially intended as a personal archive for his family but was later shared with the public due to its intimate and emotional nature. He discusses the process of filming the documentary and the emotions he experienced during that time.

00:20:59

Sacrifices and Reflections on Career

This Chapter explores the sacrifices and reflections that come with a professional athletic career. Federer discusses the physical and mental toll of tennis, particularly the constant need to warm up and prepare for matches. He expresses his relief at no longer having to endure the physical demands of the sport and shares his respect for athletes who perform at the highest level.

00:24:58

Visualization and Mental Preparation

This Chapter delves into the mental preparation and visualization techniques that top athletes use to excel in their sport. Federer explains how he would visualize matches and his opponents' playing styles, creating a mental blueprint for success. He also discusses the increasing role of data analytics in tennis and how he navigated the balance between intuition and statistical information.

00:30:49

Life After Tennis and New Ventures

This Chapter explores Roger Federer's life after tennis and his new ventures. He discusses his desire to spend more time with his family and his involvement in various projects, including his sunglasses brand, his philanthropic work, and his role as a Rolex ambassador. Federer emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between work and personal life.

00:35:11

Swiss Identity and Representation

This Chapter examines Roger Federer's Swiss identity and his role as a representative of Switzerland. He discusses the pride he feels in representing his country and the importance of upholding Swiss values of precision and craftsmanship. Federer also reflects on the cultural nuances of Swiss society and how his perception of his role as a representative has evolved over time.

00:37:58

Embracing New Freedoms and Exploring New Interests

This Chapter focuses on Roger Federer's newfound freedom after retirement and his exploration of new interests. He discusses his enjoyment of trying new things, such as golf, and the absence of pressure to perform at a professional level. Federer shares his experiences with learning golf and the challenges of adapting to a new sport.

00:41:27

The Importance of Relationships and Camaraderie

This Chapter highlights the importance of relationships and camaraderie in sports. Federer discusses his long-standing rivalry with Rafael Nadal and the mutual respect and affection they share despite their fierce competition. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining positive relationships with fellow athletes, even in the face of intense competition.

00:48:27

Finding Support and Camaraderie After Retirement

This Chapter explores how Roger Federer finds support and camaraderie after retirement. He discusses the importance of maintaining close friendships and the role of his wife in keeping him connected to his social circle. Federer emphasizes the value of investing in relationships and the importance of reciprocating the support he received from others during his career.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was Roger Federer's initial intention for the documentary "Federer: 12 Final Days"?

  Federer initially intended the documentary to be a personal archive for his family, a way for them to look back on his career in the future.

• How did Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's rivalry evolve over time?

  Despite their fierce competition, Federer and Nadal developed a deep mutual respect and camaraderie. They recognize the sacrifices and challenges each other faced in their careers and appreciate the impact they had on each other's growth as athletes.

• What are some of the sacrifices that athletes make in pursuing a professional career?

  Athletes often sacrifice personal time, relationships, and physical well-being in pursuit of their athletic goals. They dedicate countless hours to training, travel, and competition, often missing out on important life events and experiences.

• How does Roger Federer approach visualization and mental preparation for tennis matches?

  Federer uses visualization techniques to mentally prepare for matches, creating a mental blueprint of his opponent's playing style and his own strategies. He also incorporates data analytics to inform his decisions, but emphasizes the importance of intuition and feeling.

• What are some of Roger Federer's plans for life after tennis?

  Federer plans to spend more time with his family, pursue various projects, including his sunglasses brand and philanthropic work, and explore new interests. He is excited for new opportunities and experiences but acknowledges the emotional toll of retirement.

• How does Roger Federer feel about representing Switzerland?

  Federer is proud to represent Switzerland and uphold Swiss values of precision and craftsmanship. He recognizes the importance of his role as a representative and strives to embody those values in his actions and behavior.

• What are some of the new interests that Roger Federer is exploring after retirement?

  Federer is exploring new interests such as golf, enjoying the freedom to try new things without the pressure of professional competition. He is also spending more time with his family and pursuing various projects.

• What is Roger Federer's perspective on the importance of relationships in sports?

  Federer believes that relationships are essential in sports, even in the face of intense competition. He values the camaraderie and mutual respect he has developed with fellow athletes, recognizing the shared experiences and challenges they face.

• How does Roger Federer find support and camaraderie after retirement?

  Federer maintains close friendships and values the support of his wife in staying connected to his social circle. He recognizes the importance of investing in relationships and reciprocating the support he received from others during his career.

• What is Roger Federer's perspective on the "what now" question, particularly in relation to his career?

  Federer believes that a good ending should leave a sense of mourning or regret, a yearning for more. He acknowledges the emotional toll of retirement but is excited for new opportunities and experiences. He is currently in a transition phase, focusing on family and exploring new projects.

Show Notes