‘Had Tears in My Eyes’- Emotional Roger Federer Disclosed Kids’ Heart-Felt Tribute During a Humanitarian Trip to Africa in 2010

Swiss Maestro Roger Federer has had a remarkable career in tennis for over two decades. After retirement, Federer has ample time on his hands and is keeping himself busy with other business ventures.

Apart from tennis, Federer has shown diligence in helping underprivileged children. He imperatively contributes to his charitable venture Roger Federer Foundation which is known for its work with underprivileged kids. Federer has always been a philanthropist and was moved to his core when he noticed children paying tribute to him.

Ethiopian kids make Roger Federer breakdown into tears

Federer visited his foundation where he spent quality time with children playing ping-pong, among other fun activities.

While playing ping-pong, an Ethiopian teenager, Jirata Demksa praised Federer and that made the legend emotional. “He’s the best tennis player ever. I am just lucky we played ping-pong,” Jirata said.

Federer, in the interview with Reuters, talked about his experience of interacting with children in Ethiopia’ and focused on the moments that moved him while observing the kids at the premises.

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“When I arrived at the school and all the children were singing, it was very emotional.” He continued, “They sang, Roger, our Father to me. I didn’t understand it at the beginning, but I still had tears in my eyes.”

The inspiration for starting the foundation

Federer cut the ribbons of his dream foundation in 2003. The foundation aims to support educational projects in the region of southern Africa particularly, in Ethiopia, South Africa, Tanzania, Mali, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. Currently, it takes care of over one million kids.

Swiss Maestro holds his mother, Lynette, as an inspiration for starting his foundation. During his younger days, when he was vacationing in South Africa, he noticed the condition of children and their families. That’s what sparked the flame to start the project and gradually he contributed more money to expand.

Federer has a grand vision for his foundation; however, in the future, he wants his thirteen-month-old twin girls, Myla and Charlene to eventually take over the charity. 

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The Swiss Maestro is certainly up for a challenge of this massive scale; he has shown his brilliance off the court as well since his foundation has been successful in helping underprivileged kids in the past and will continue to do so in the future.