‘Too Often You Get Bored’: How Roger Federer Was Different Than Bjorn Borg and Others

Renowned sports journalist Christopher Clarey, who is the New York Times tennis writer, recently published a book on Roger Federer titled ‘The Master: The Brilliant Career of Roger Federer’. The biography chronicles the life of Federer by taking the help of places he lived at and the people who made an influence in his life.

Clarey has seen the Swiss Maestro up and close and interviewed him multiple times over the past two decades. According to the author, what separates Federer from other elite athletes is his genuine interest in the person he is talking to and his desire to get to know their journey.

The following anecdote was written by Christopher detailing Roger’s love for fans and his constant desire to keep changing little things to find that extra tinge of motivation.

Roger Federer shares how he stays motivated to play tennis

It was the year 2012. Clarey met Federer after the latter was on his maiden South American exhibition tour. As eager as ever, the Swiss Maestro waved to some excited fans who ran towards the car.

That’s when Christopher asked Federer about how he had seen success at the highest level and not get ‘jaded’ by doing the same things over and over again. The American journalist also drew the example of Bjorn Borg, who retired from the sport at the age of twenty-six.

“It happens very quickly. You’re just, ‘I’m done. I don’t want to do it anymore. I’m tired of it all.’ And really, that’s what I try to avoid by having the proper schedule and the proper fun and the proper change, because, like you mentioned, if you do the same thing, it doesn’t matter what you do, too many times, all the time, too often you get bored of it,” explained Federer.

Federer intends to make a comeback on the 2022 ATP tour

The 20-time Grand Slam champion explained how it’s a mix of things he does on and off the court that keeps him going to achieve long-term success in the sport.

“It doesn’t matter how extraordinary your life might be, so that’s where I think these kinds of trips, or a good buildup practice session or a great vacation or some amazing tournaments in a row, toughing it out, whatever it might be, it’s in the mix that I find the resources for more, the energy for more.” 

Roger was 31 years old when he said the above lines to Clarey. Almost a decade later, the Swiss icon is still looking to bounce back stronger after undergoing a third knee surgery this year. The former World No.1 will be hopeful of making it back to the ATP tour for the grass court season next year.

Also read: David Ferrer Makes Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal Claim Amid the ‘GOAT’ Debate