‘Want to Play Sometime’ – Roger Federer’s Interest in a New Sport Revealed as Former Pro Expresses Desire to Share the Court With the Swiss Legend

By Pune Media On Nov 7, 2024 20

As Roger Federer has evolved into a tennis legend, his former colleague Tommy Haas views him as more than just a benchmark of success; he sees him as a worthy opponent in their shared outdoor hobbies. Since retiring, the two have frequently been spotted together, enjoying leisure activities and supporting each other’s pursuits. Often accompanied by their wives, Mirca and Sara Foster, their friendship radiates mutual respect and camaraderie. Their bond continues to flourish even after their competitive careers have ended. Now Haas eagerly anticipates their next meetup, looking forward to reconnecting with his friend on and off the court.

On November 4th, Haas spoke with tennis MAGAZIN about his recent ventures into Padel, a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. Tommy described it as a fun activity rather than a profession, stating, “I live life the way I want to. Padel is part of it. There is no pressure.” Currently, Haas is traveling and enjoying life post-retirement while balancing his involvement in Padel. He emphasized that the sport allows him to exert himself and feel good afterward.

Tommy Haas has observed that Padel is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide, especially in Dubai, where Roger Federer resides. “Roger plays Padel also a lot in Dubai,” Haas mentioned. “We’ve already talked about it and want to play sometime.” Their tennis history includes numerous encounters, such as the thrilling 2009 French Open match where Federer rallied from two sets down to win, and the unforgettable 2017 Mercedes Open clash where Haas pulled off a stunning upset, defeating Federer 2-6, 7-6, 6-4. During their careers, Federer led their head-to-head record, but now that they’ve both retired, they can focus on strengthening their friendship.

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via Reuters

Beyond just playing for fun, Haas has taken a significant role in promoting Padel in Germany. He revealed that he is involved in the “Padel City” project and aims to grow the sport’s presence in the country. Meanwhile, Roger can often be seen at tennis matches in the stands and always staying in touch with the current scenario of the racket sport. But he’s got more to him than just tennis! With Padel just being one of his athletic interests, Federer seems to have a hidden talent for soccer as well!

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Would Federer have picked soccer over tennis?

For someone as iconic in the tennis world as Roger Federer, it’s hard to picture him anywhere but on the court. Yet, he once had a strong passion for soccer and even considered pursuing it professionally. He played as a forward for the youth teams of FC Concordia Basel, showcasing his talent on the field. However, in an interview with Tennis World earlier this March, Federer revealed his reason for choosing tennis, “It was quite easy to be honest, I was successful in soccer, but it doesn’t go at the pace as tennis goes; soccer takes many more years.”

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Despite his early success in soccer, Federer preferred the individual nature of tennis and the success that came with it. As opposed to the long grueling years of playing in a team and gaining recognition in soccer. He explained, “Tennis, I like that I was the one to blame if I lost. Soccer, I was always the bad loser. Sometimes I could not believe we lost, and that’s not fair. I need to blame myself if I lost.” This desire for personal accountability influenced his decision to pick up a racket over donning a soccer jersey.

However, he remains connected to soccer. Just two years ago, Federer visited Switzerland’s national football team during their training camp and even received a team jersey from coach Murat Yakin. As the Swiss maestro continues to surprise fans with his athleticism beyond tennis, one thing is clear: his talents extend far beyond the tennis court.

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