‘He Won 198 Times’- Roger Federer Pulling off an All-Nighter With Childhood Best Friend Is a Testament to His Love for Playstation

During his early years of going pro, Roger Federer had a love for the video game Tekken. Federer also enjoyed games like Mario and FIFA. A testament to his love for e-sports is his experiences with his friend Marco Chiudinelli. As per the “Roger Federer Effect”, the duo would play Tekken all night on the PlayStation, with Federer winning the majority of the games.

It is not entirely clear why Federer was so drawn to Tekken. However, it’s possible that he enjoyed the combat sport and competitive elements of such an esports game. These aspects may have appealed to Federer’s competitive nature and desire for constant improvement.

Despite his love for Tekken, Federer never lost sight of his tennis career and always prioritized his training and practice schedule. This discipline and focus would go on to serve him well in his successful career as a professional tennis player.

Roger Federer is a sucker for video games

Roger Federer spent some of his formative years in Biel as a tennis player. As the book outlines, Federer was born in Basel, Switzerland. However, his family moved to Biel when he was two years old. He trained at the Old Boys Tennis Club in Biel.

During his time there, Federer became friends with fellow Swiss player Marco Chiudinelli. The two lived in the same city but were in different training groups and did not play together very often. Federer also began to travel to tournaments around Switzerland and Europe, and in 1997 he made his first appearance in the ATP world rankings at No. 803.

Read more: ‘Felt Pretty Lonely’- When Roger Federer’s Coach Severin Luthi Dwelled Upon His Unsuccessful Career Before Joining Federer’s Camp

Speaking fondly of their time together, Chiudinelli reminisces how he always knew Roger would become a great tennis player. However, the two had shared interests in more than just tennis. They once played Tekken all night on the PlayStation, with Federer winning the majority of the games.

Talking about the boyish memory of the 16-year-old Federer, Chiudinelli says, “We played maybe 200 times, he won 198 times, but I kept trying.”

Despite the late-night gaming sessions, Federer still managed to wake up and go to practice the next morning, while Chiudinelli slept in and got into trouble for being late. Federer’s interest in PlayStation only makes his personality all the more relatable, if anything.

Federer’s time in Biel was important in his development as a tennis player, and he has spoken fondly of his memories of training and playing there.

WATCH THE STORY: LeBron James has an emotional reaction to heartwarming Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal moment

Today, Biel remains a significant location in Federer’s life and career, as he serves as the co-owner of the Laver Cup, a professional tennis tournament that takes place annually in the city.