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Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his victory in his quarter final match against Tennys Sandgren of the United States on day nine of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
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Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his victory in his quarter final match against Tennys Sandgren of the United States on day nine of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
Almost every sports fan knows about the roller-coaster journey of Swiss tennis icon Roger Federer. The 39-year-old was phenomenal even at the age of 12, when he became the National Juniors champion. However, only a few know about the time when he stayed at the National Tennis Center, away from his home, in order to become a much better player.
Federer joined the Center at 14 and practiced there for 2 years. Meanwhile, he got a new family who took care of him. When Roger Federer won his maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon 2003, it was this family who was elated with joy.
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🎾@rogerfederer et la Suisse romande. À l'ge de 14 ans, le Blois pose ses valises à Écublens où il passera deux années au Centre national. En 2003, sa famille d'accueil assiste avec émotion à son triomphe sur le gazon de Wimbledon @swisstennis #RTSarchives #RTSsport pic.twitter.com/9L0BY80J7A
— RTS Sport (@RTSsport) November 14, 2020
It was really a proud moment for them. They felt like their own son had achieved that incredible glory. Federer almost broke in tears after winning his first-ever Grand Slam title and the family also expressed their emotions in the video.
“I am touched since he is crying, and those emotions, I was dreaming of those emotions,” said the lady in the video.
The man of the house, who took care of the young Federer, was also quite cheerful and said that for him, Federer was always a champion.
“For me earlier, he was a young nice man, and now he’s an old nice man. In any case, he’s a champion,” acknowledged the man.
Read More: Roger Federer reveals how he got into tennis
“He is always Roger Federer who was living with us”
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LONDON, ENGLAND: Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates victory with the trophy after the Gentlemen’s Singles final against Marin Cilic of Croatia on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon on July 16, 2017, in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
In a recent video, Federer revealed how difficult it was for him to practice at the National Centre. He did not know the language and did not know many people there. At such a time, it was surely the moral support of this family that helped Federer to continue his fight towards becoming a great player.
The lady revealed some stunning facts about Federer. However, she refused to believe that anything had changed about the Swiss Maestro.
“For me, when he was jealous, he was the right boy of 14 years of age. I think, natural, spontaneous, with the joy of living, really. Now for me, nothing has changed, he is always Roger who was living with us. Personally, we do not sing any praises,” concluded the cheerful lady.
Beautiful #throwback to Roger Federer‘s host family (from when he was training as a junior at the Swiss Tennis National Tennis Center in Ecublens) reacting to his first @Wimbledon title in 2003 😍 https://t.co/2pgQpdvGBX
— Swiss Tennis (@swiss_tennis) November 14, 2020
Swiss Tennis shared the video on its Twitter handle to applaud the family and relive the great moment. Clearly, there are many people behind the success of a legend like Roger Federer. His journey is definitely a source of inspiration for many youngsters and sports fans.
Also Read: Roger Federer reveals his teenage crisis about tennis career
