"The kids can see how their mum was" - Roger Federer opens up about wife Mirka's appearance in upcoming documentary
Roger Federer opened up on his wife Mirka's appearance in Federer: Final Twelve Days, an upcoming documentary on the last 12 days of the Swiss Maestro's illustrious tennis career. The former World No. 1's farewell outing came at the 2022 Laver Cup, where he teamed up with fellow tennis great and rival Rafael Nadal to play doubles for the Bjorn Borg-led Team Europe.
Federer and Nadal went up against Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock. The all-American duo came out on top with a 4-6, 7-6(2), 11-9 win, drawing the curtains on the Swiss' career. What followed was a rollercoaster of emotions, as Federer himself teared up, with Nadal and Mirka following suit. At one point, Federer and Mirka embraced each other, with both husband and wife crying almost inconsolably.
Recently, Federer spoke at length with Olympics.com at the documentary's premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. During the interview, he touched on his wife's appearance in the feature. Mirka is known for usually keeping a low-profile and very rarely steps into the limelight.
According to the 20-time Grand Slam winner, the decision to have his wife in the film stemmed from his and the rest of the production team's desire to make sure that Mirka can revisit the final days of his career to reflect on her own feelings at the time. Federer also said that it is a way for their children to relive their mother's experiences in the buildup to his last moments as a tennis player.
"For the film we just said, 'Well, let's capture [Mirka] and she can see how it felt [in that moment]... and then the kids can see how their mum was at the time.'"
The former World No. 1 revealed that coincidentally, when Mirka's interview that is used in the documentary was being recorded, he had gone into his kids' bedroom and told them that he was on the verge of retirement.
"Actually, funny enough, I think when she was doing the interview, I went into the bedroom of the children and I told them that I was officially retiring... in ten days."
"Mirka really is someone that understood tennis and understands her husband" - Roger Federer's ex-coach Paul Annacone
In December last year, Roger Federer's former coach Paul Annacone highlighted the important role that Mirka played in the Swiss icon's team, despite her choice to mostly steer clear of the spotlight.
Annacone served as Federer's coach from 2010 to 2013 and charted the Swiss' return to the World No. 1 position, leading him to a Wimbledon title and two ATP World Tour Finals titles.
According to Annacone, Mirka's steadying influence on Federer often tends to be overlooked. Appearing on the podcast Rock n Roll Tennis, the 61-year-old also praised her knowledge of tennis and how well she understands her husband.
"Mirka doesn't get enough credit. She's amazing. She really is someone that understood tennis and understands her husband so well, not only with the tennis but also with who he became as an icon. She's incredible that she managed all that."
Federer: Twelve Final Days will be available for streaming on Prime Video from Thursday, June 20.