It has been a few months since the one and only Maestro Roger Federer hung up his sneakers, but it feels like much longer. Today, we are living in a tennis world where Novak Djokovic’s writ runs supreme. However, it was not always like this. Federer from 2004 to 2008 was probably the most dominant player in the history of tennis. He was tripped up intermittently by Andy Murray, Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal between 2009 and 2012, before completely missing out on grand slam glory in the following four years.

Once British actor Benedict Cumberbatch teamed up with Federer to make a hilarious video for the Laureus Awards.

Roger Federer and Benedict Cumberbatch’s funny video

2017 was like the phoenix rising from the ashes. After staying winless in grand slams for nearly five years, the Swiss superstar won the Australian Open and Wimbledon that year. He was unsurprisingly named Laureus Sportsman of the Year. This was no less than his sixth Laureus award.

The morning after the Laureus awards were given out, Federer sat with “Sherlock” actor Benedict Cumberbatch. The two decided to play a game of table tennis, with the coffee table being the court and Federer’s six Laureus trophies being the net.

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“Equaled 20th Slam of Roger Federer”: Rafael Nadal Upon Receiving Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award

The two engaged in an entertaining game of table tennis, which ended with Cumberbatch hitting the ball onto the floor. As Federer bent to retrieve the ball, Cumberbatch quickly grabbed one of Federer’s trophies, breaks the fourth wall by saying “I’ve always wanted one of these” and left the scene.

This left the viewers in splits.

Blast from the past

The whole incident was a very cleverly written advertisement for the Laureus Awards. The aim of the video itself was to remind people of how great Roger Federer was. He is one of only two tennis players (the other being Nadal) in recent memory who has won a grand slam at age 36. The reason the advertisement works is mainly because of Federer’s characteristic joviality, sense of humor, and humility.

He is the most-loved tennis player ever, not so much for his on-court feats, but rather for how he holds himself off the court. He has achieved mastery over German and English and seems to enjoy bliss with his wondrous wife and children.

Although Nadal and Djokovic have now broken almost all of his records, Federer remains magnanimous and is the first to congratulate them on their achievements. Although Federer is retired, he remains presence in the tennis world through his various records, such as his eight Wimbledon titles and the number of consecutive weeks as world No. 1.

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