"Talent" That's Robert Federer's immediate response when asked which of his own traits he sees in his son. But it's accompanied by hearty laughter, drawing his eyes into narrow slits and raising his bushy brows. This is a man who laughs a lot, and who knows how to look on the bright side of life at all times. It's true that he got his wife Lynette – and thus, indirectly, his son as well – into tennis. But he also knows that she provided the better genes as far as athletic talent is concerned. "She was already an outstanding field hockey player when I met her," he recalls. "But she had problems with her legs because of all the hits."
Wife Lynette Is the Better Tennis Player
Robert Federer – "Robbie" to his friends – was an avid
tennis player. His playing ability (R3) made him an above-average
recreational player with an aggressive, attacking style. "But Lynette
was always better than me," he concedes. She continues to outclass him –
though these days it's with the golf clubs. Her handicap is 13,
compared with his 20. "I would love to play a bit more, but I'm not a
golf obsessive," he says. In tennis, things were different. Even on the
weekend when his son came into the world he was busy playing in a
tournament.
Birth of "Rotschi"
On the night of August 8, 1981, a Saturday, he was out
with his tennis colleagues when the club house received an urgent
telephone call for him after midnight. "It was Lynette, saying: You
better come home now," he recalls. He rode home – he still had a small
motorcycle at the time – before continuing to the hospital in Basel.
"Rotschi" – as he calls his son – was born at 8 that morning.
Passed on Not Only His Looks But Also His Thirst for Travel
There is no doubt he passed on his looks to his son. "If
my father, Rotschi and I were to stand side-by-side, we would all look
the same. All of them have those distinct eyebrows, the same look around
the eyes. In the past people told me I was the spitting image of my
father, and with Roger it's exactly the same." Something else he passed
on to the record-setting tennis ace was an urge to discover the world,
to travel, and to not allow himself to feel constrained in his outlook.
Apprenticeship As a Lab Technician
This is perhaps connected to the fact that it was in
Berneck, in the parochial, slightly remote St. Gallen Rhine Valley, that
he came into the world on June 18, 1946. His father worked at
Viscosuisse, a rayon factory in Widnau known by the locals as simply
"Viscose." Robert Federer also served an apprenticeship there. "But at
the age of 20, I wanted out," he recalls. 1966 saw the lab technician
move to Basel, the capital of the chemicals industry, where he found
work with the firm Ciba.
South Africa – and an Important Coincidence
In 1970, the small group of friends he had made went
their own way and he was once again seized by the desire to travel. But
where to? Australia? America? Israel? "I decided on South Africa. At
that time, it wasn't a land of immigration. I obtained a visa, and flew
to Johannesburg." He was to live there for three-and-a-half years, and
would soon get to know his future wife – in the company cafeteria. The
fact that the firm in question was Ciba once again was a major
coincidence. "It was weird," he says. "I'd already found a job in a
factory when I went to register with the consulate. They had a few job
ads in which Swiss firms were looking for people. I saw that Ciba also
had vacancies, and began working there again. And I remained with that
company until my retirement." He and Lynette were members of
Johannesburg's Swiss Club, where they were soon playing tennis on a
regular basis. As to why they decided to leave South Africa and return
to Basel in 1973, Robert Federer is no longer sure exactly. "There
wasn't really any reason. At some point we just got the feeling that it
was time to come home." What he does remember clearly, however, is his
initial, strong feeling that the decision to return to Basel had been a
mistake. "I had my head in my hands, and was saying: Heavens, why have I
come home! We'd had a good life down there." But the young couple did
stay on in the Basel region. They married in 1973; Diana was born in
1979, followed by Roger 20 months later.
Spending the Night Among Lions and Elephants
The freedom-loving father and now grandfather of four,
who can still be found riding a Harley-Davidson on occasion, has
retained his love for and attachment to southern Africa. "I absolutely
adore being there," he says. He is fascinated by wild animals and
landscapes, including on television. "Traveling with friends to
countries like Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Zambia and
spending the night practically among the lions and elephants gives you
an incredible feeling," he explains. His father was also an avid
traveler, "even though he only rode around Switzerland on his moped," he
explains. "Our family has travel in its blood." He himself regularly
took two years' vacation all at once, so that he could stay in Africa
for five or six weeks – usually over Christmas. "Lynette then flew out
ahead of me with the children, to spend time with her siblings and
relatives."
Traveled the Entire African Continent
Roger's first visit to South Africa came before his
first birthday, as Robert also traveled far and wide through his job as a
lab technician specializing in paper. He traveled the entire African
continent, including Arabic countries, from Morocco through Egypt to
Israel. "I traveled often to Eastern Europe, Russia, and Poland," he
recalls, "As well as Greece, India, and Australia." He once spent three
months working in Melbourne, and also three months in Sydney in 1995.
"Toward the end of that time, Lynette came down with the children, and
we spent our vacation together." Roger was barely 14 at the time, and
was about to complete his "Tennis Etudes" program at the Swiss National
Tennis Center in Ecublens on Lake Geneva.
Sydney – and a Tearful Decision
Robert Federer actually had an offer of a permanent job
in Australia from Ciba. If he took it, he and his family would have to
leave Switzerland. "It did appeal to me. Sydney is one of the most
beautiful places in the world," he says slightly wistfully. It was one
of the most difficult decisions of his life. The entire family was
involved, "for four weeks we were torn in different directions." Two
factors ultimately made them decide to stay in Switzerland: "First, we'd
have lost our entire circle of friends. Second was Roger: He was
already a top talent in Europe at that time, and we asked ourselves:
Would he have equally good opportunities in Australia? We were very
lucky with the support Swiss Tennis gave us, and everything was working
well." A little world fell apart for Roger and his older sister Diana
when we made that decision. "But I think we made the right choice," he
says today.
Excited by South America
Robert Federer filled in one of the last gaps on his
globetrotter map last December when his son accompanied him on a 10-day
tour of South America that took in Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. He
raves about the warmth and exuberance of the people, scenic attractions
such as the Iguaçu Falls, and a brief stay in Rio de Janeiro. He took
the short trip from São Paulo to the home of Sugar Loaf Mountain by
helicopter, across the Brazilian jungle and fascinating coastline. "It
was great getting the chance to discover something new again," he says.
There's no doubt that being the father of an international star has its
advantages.
Date: 7th June 2013, Source: Credit Suisse
Date: 7th June 2013, Source: Credit Suisse
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