Top 5 quotes from Roger Federer about his father Robert & mother Lynette
Roger Federer's parents, Robert and Lynette Federer have had a big impact on the Swiss star's life. The 20-time Grand Slam champion retired from professional tennis in 2022 as arguably the greatest tennis player of all time.
Federer's impact on tennis goes beyond just numbers and trophies. The Swiss maestro dominated the early 2000s, increasing the global appeal of the sport due to his effortless play and stylish look. Federer is close to his parents and often hailed them as the reason for his immense success.
Throughout his iconic tennis career, Federer has praised his parents for their help in his success. Here is a list of five occasions when Roger Federer opened up about his parents.
#1. "I couldn't believe he left me there" - Roger Federer recalled the time his father was unhappy with him at practice
In a 2016 video for Nike, Roger Federer was talking about an incident from his childhood involving his father. The young Swiss was practicing with his father but he was constantly smashing racquets and complaining about everything. His father was not happy with Roger's behavior and decided to leave mid-practice.
Robert left alone in his car and Roger had to take a bus to get home. The Swiss star said the 45-minute bus journey helped him realize his mistake and gave him the time to think about what he did was wrong.
The Swiss said,
"'I don't enjoy playing with you like that. I'm leaving, I'll see you at home,' - I couldn't believe he left me there because it was gonna be like a 45-minute bus ride back home. So I waited for like an hour until he came back and he never showed up."
#2. "I learned this way of thinking from the best: my parents" - Federer talks about the importance of relationships
During his Dartmouth Commencement speech in 2024, Roger Federer hailed his parents for their impact on his life. The Swiss star shared he has learned about how to handle relationships and their importance in life thanks to his parents.
Federer said his parents were the "best influence" on him and he learned the importance of holding on to relationships due to them. Federer is still close with his parents and has spent more time with them since his retirement.
“Relationships matter the most. I learned this way of thinking from the best: my parents, of course.”
#3. "My parents said they would no longer accompany me to any tournament" - Roger Federer on his anger issues during his junior days
Roger Federer was a feisty kid during his junior days. The Swiss star would often break his racquets and got an image of a 'bad boy'. His parents Robert and Lynette were not best pleased with his behavior and told him that they would stop accompanying him for this tournament.
Federer further added that his parents were ashamed of him and that prompted a change in his behavior.
By the end of his career, Federer was known for his calm and collected demeanor towards players and fans.
"When I was a junior, I only criticized myself and with each exchange, I threw my racquet. My parents were ashamed of me and told me that they would no longer accompany me to any tournament."
#4. "I saw how my family looked at me"- Roger Federer on behavior that prompted help from psychologist
Roger Federer, before he became known for his gentlemanly ways on and off court, was an aggressive player. The Swiss star would overreact on the tennis court, breaking his racket and arguing with officials.
His anger famously reached a tipping point during a straight-sets loss to Franco Squilari at the Hamburg Masters in 2001. The Swiss said he showed himself in a poor light during the match and needed a change.
Federer shared he had consulted a psychologist to find a balance between passion and calmness. The Swiss star added that his parent's angry looks and disappointment towards him prompted Federer to take a psychologist's help.
"I saw how my family, my staff, and my trainers looked at me and I felt that I could never again have this behavior on a court. I realized that I definitely had to change. It was a long process and I got help from a psychologist. It took me two years to find the perfect balance between passion and calm."
#5. “I think it comes from the values of my parents"- Federer talks about his values and ethics
Roger Federer has hailed his mother's impact on his life and said the values inculcated by her have helped him achieve success. Roger's mother, Lynette, is of South African descent and Roger has spent many years in South Africa.
While talking about his motivation to start his Foundation at a young age, Roger Federer related it to visiting South Africa many times with his parents. He added he owed his motivation to give back to society to his parents' values.
“I think it comes from the values of my parents; and me, myself, when I was young being in South Africa… seeing that Switzerland is different to southern Africa, that you can have a big impact if you do it the right way."
Roger Federer's parents have had a big impact on his career and still travel with him across the world as part of efforts for Unicef and the Roger Federer Foundation.