I’ve never gone for bad boys. Maybe that’s why I love watching Roger Federer play tennis.
I love his one-handed backhand and how it looks like a delicate ballet move. I love the way he places the ball around the court and uses strategy and skill over sheer brutal power. I love the way he treats the ball boys and girls. I even love the way he blows into his blistered hands as he waits for his opponent’s serve.
The Swiss tennis legend is back playing the Australian Open in Melbourne after six months out with a knee injury, and many have written the 35-year-old off. He’s ‘too old’, his ‘best days are behind him’, it’s ‘time to retire’. Move on Roger.
When I heard why Federer had been out with injury I was in a room full of women. The Australian Open was on the TV in the background. We were having a glass of wine and talking. Kids were in and out of the room asking what the score was. It felt like summer.
After a beautiful one-handed backhand from Federer (my brother told me he is one of the last remaining one-handed backhander on the men's tour - of course he is), the commentators recounted the Federer injury story.
"He was running a bath for his twins, that's how he injured his knee."
Every woman in the room turned to the TV and went, "Ohhhh."
Then we told each other the same story as though we hadn't heard the commentators say it.
He was running a bath for his twins. Federer and his wife, Miroslava (Mirka) a former professional tennis player, have two sets of twins: Lenny and Leo, aged two and Myla and Charlene, seven.
Top Comments
Fingers crossed here for Fedal in the final (that's a match between Federer and Nadal if anyone's interested). Please, oh please, oh please!
Absolutely one of the best. His backhand! I love watching him play. He seems genuine and lovely.