Roger Federer THE G.O.A.T
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Roger Federer, born August 8, 1981, in Basel, Switzerland, won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, including eight Wimbledon championships, and held the world No. 1 ranking for 237 consecutive weeks. He also appeared as himself in The Daily Show and the 2024 documentary Federer: Twelve Final Days.
Names, aliases, and relatives of Roger Federer — birth name, kin, and personal ties.
Roger Federer by the numbers — life, work, and family.
Roger Federer — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
Born in Basel, Switzerland on August 8, 1981, to Swiss-German father Robert Federer and South African mother Lynette Federer, Roger Federer grew up with one older sister, Diana. He grew up speaking Swiss German, German, English, and French. He started playing tennis as a child and turned professional in 1998 at age 17. His idols were Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, whose serve-and-volley styles he later emulated and surpassed.
Federer’s breakthrough came in 2003 when he became the first Swiss man to win a Grand Slam singles title, defeating Mark Philippoussis at Wimbledon. He followed with his first Australian Open title in 2004 and claimed the U.S. Open later that year, securing the year-end No. 1 ranking by September 14, 2004—the earliest a player had clinched the top spot since the ATP rankings began in 1973. He amassed 20 Grand Slam titles: six Australian Opens, one French Open, eight Wimbledons, and five U.S. Opens. He held the world No. 1 ranking for 237 consecutive weeks from February 2007 onward. He also appeared as himself on television shows like The Daily Show, LIVE with Kelly and Mark, and the documentary Federer: Twelve Final Days 2024. He was coached by Australian Tony Roche from 2005 to 2008 and later by American Paul Annacone.
Federer married Mirka Vavrinec on April 11, 2009, in Basel. The couple has four children: twin daughters Myla Rose and Charlene Riva born July 23, 2009 and twin sons Leo and Lennart born May 6, 2014. Off the court, Federer endorses brands like Nike and Rolex, and he owns homes in Dubai and Switzerland. He is a good friend of golfer Tiger Woods and counts Anna Wintour, editor of American Vogue, as a devoted fan who often attends his matches. As of 2017, his net worth was estimated at $450 million.
He was the first man to win at least three different Grand Slam tournaments five times. He shares the record of five straight Wimbledon titles 2003–2007 with Björn Borg. In 2018, he was named to Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list, with an homage written by Bill Gates. A street in Halle, Germany, was renamed Roger Federer Alley. He inspired a generation of players with his graceful style and sportsmanship, and he remains the oldest man to hold the world No. 1 ranking at 36 years and 320 days. Tennis fans remember him for his elegance and consistency at the highest level.
The complete filmography of Roger Federer — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.
Every award, honor, and recognition received by Roger Federer — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.
A wall of memorable lines from Roger Federer — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.
When Asked About His 2009 French Open Title Win: It Might Be the Greatest Victory of My Career.
Just Because I Don’t Sweat Like Crazy and I Don’t Grunt, I Don’t Have This Face on When I Hit the Shot Like I’m in Pain, Doesn’t Mean I’m Not Trying Hard. It’s Just How I Play. Sorry.
Little-known facts about Roger Federer — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
Plays the piano.
Has twin sons, Leo and Lenny, born May 6, 2014.
First Swiss man to win a Grand Slam singles title.
After surpassing Jimmy Connors, he holds the all-time record for most consecutive weeks as top-ranked male player, a streak that began in February 2007.
Two days after winning his first Wimbledon, he was presented with a 1760 lb. milking cow named Juliette as a gift from tournament organizers in Gstaad, Switzerland.
Born to Swiss-German Robert Federer and South African wife Lynette, he has one older sister, Diana.
Twin daughters, Charlene Riva and Myla Rose, were born on July 23, 2009.
His 2009 Wimbledon final defeat of American Andy Roddick 5-7, 7-6 8-6, 7-6 7-5, 3-6, 16-14 lasted a record 77 games over 4 hours and 16 minutes. His loss to Rafael Nadal the previous year consumed 4 hours and 48 minutes, the longest men’s singles final in Wimbledon history up to 2009.
Has won 20 Grand Slam titles in men’s singles, making him the first man to win at least three separate Grand Slam tournaments five times: Australian Open 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018, French Open 2009, Wimbledon 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017, and US Open 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.
Speaks English, Swiss German, German, and French.
Shares the record of five straight Wimbledon titles 2003-2007 with Björn Borg 1976-1980.
Was beaten by Rafael Nadal 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 at the 2008 French Open, the worst defeat by a Slam winner in a Slam final since John McEnroe defeated Jimmy Connors 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 at the 1984 Wimbledon.
Cites players Pete Sampras, Stefan Edberg, and Boris Becker as major influences on his career.
His net worth as of 2017 is $450 million.
Good friends with Tiger Woods.
His 2014 Wimbledon loss to Novak Djokovic marked two full years without a Grand Slam victory, the longest winless stretch of his career.
During his youth, his idols were Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg.
Was chosen Swiss Sportsman of the Year in 2003, 2004, and 2006; European Sportsman of the Year from 2004 to 2006; Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2005 and 2006; and L’Equipe Magazine’s Champion of Champions in 2006 and 2007.
Was coached by Australian Tony Roche from 2005 to 2008.
In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated his earnings for the year at $29 million.
Was coached by Swedish Peter Lundgren for seven years.
Turned professional in 1998.
In his 19-year professional career, he never retired mid-match.
There is a street named after him in Halle Westfalen, Germany, called Roger Federer Alley.
Played 429 matches and reached 23 consecutive semifinals.
Announced on his website that he married girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec in a small ceremony in his hometown, with the couple expecting their first child in the fall April 11, 2009.
Has endorsements with Nike, Rolex, and Credit Suisse, among others.
His net worth is $67 million as of January 2017.
Federer was the first Swiss man to win a tennis Grand Slam final when he beat Mark Philippoussis at Wimbledon in 2003.
Owns luxurious homes and villas in Dubai, the Swiss village of Valbella, Wollerau, and the south of Zurich.
Received a milking cow named Juliette as a gift after winning his first Wimbledon title.
Merited a place in Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People Titans with an homage penned by Bill Gates in April 2018.
Had four consecutive seasons with two or more men’s singles titles 2004-2007.
Had three seasons with three men’s singles titles 2004, 2006, 2007.
Made 81 men’s singles tournament appearances overall.
Won eight or more titles on two different surfaces hard and grass.
Reached 36 consecutive quarterfinals.
Reached 10 consecutive men’s singles finals.
Reached all four Grand Slam finals in three seasons 2006, 2007, 2009.
Had six seasons with two or more men’s singles titles 2004-2007, 2009, 2017.
Had 191 hard court match wins overall.
Had 369 match wins overall.
Reached 12 or more finals on two different surfaces hard and grass.
Achieved 100-plus match wins at two different tournaments Wimbledon and Australian Open.
Won six or more titles at two different tournaments Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Reached 46 men’s singles semifinals overall.
Reached 58 men’s singles quarterfinals overall.
Had two consecutive seasons with three men’s singles titles 2006-2007.
Became the oldest No. 1 in ATP history at 36 years and 320 days.
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Roger Federer.
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