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PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 05: Roger Federer and his wife Miroslava ‘Mirka’ Vavrinec Federer attend the Louis Vuitton show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2017 on October 5, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage)
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PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 05: Roger Federer and his wife Miroslava ‘Mirka’ Vavrinec Federer attend the Louis Vuitton show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2017 on October 5, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage)
Mirka and Roger Federer are arguably the most beloved couples in the tennis community. But not many know that the Swiss maestro’s wife was also once a professional tennis player. However, persistent injuries led her to take early retirement, a decision Roger influenced. Now, he looks back at that time and compares it with his present situation.
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Notably, Mirka and Roger met for the first time at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Since then, the two have been inseparable and now are parents of four children. Although in 2002, the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s wife put an end to her tennis career.
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Roger Federer details wife Mirka Federer’s early retirement
The Swiss maestro reflected on the physical struggles Mirka had faced because of tennis. Also, Roger admitted to insisting on his wife to retire early.
“My wife Mirka has suffered a lot due to her physical problems,” Roger said. “Her career ended very early, and I myself advised her to end that pain.”
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Mirka Federer wife of Roger Federer watches her husband take part in the annual Kids Tennis Day also watched by his four children Myla Rose Federer,Charlene Riva Federer,Lenny Federer and Leo Federer during Tennis Australia’s Kids Day ahead of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
As for Roger, he has undergone multiple knee surgeries and suffered uncountable injuries throughout his career. Despite all that, he is still passionate about returning to the ATP Tour at 40 years of age.
Accordingly, he realized what his wife must have gone through to in making that decision. “I told her as if it were the simplest thing in the world,” Roger continued. “Looking back on it today, I get a weird feeling. I am still playing tournaments at 40, and I find it difficult to stop.”
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Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 3, 2021 Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action during his third round match against Britain’s Cameron Norrie Pool via REUTERS/David Gray
Previously, the former World No.1 announced that he would undergo third surgery on his right knee and ended the 2021 season after Wimbledon. The surgery has since been completed successfully and Federer is going through rehabilitation right now. Recently, his coach stated that Federer is ‘unlikely‘ to play at Australian Open next year.
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Federer’s father gives an update on his injury
Fascinatingly, Robert Federer, father of the Swiss maestro, shared some positive news about his son in a recent interview. Robert said, “He’s preparing himself, building up, and getting in good shape again. This is his aim. This is what he’s doing.”
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Hence, there is still hope for Federer’s Australian Open return, even though the coach said otherwise. Given his passion, the 20-time Grand Slam champion will give his best to come back and take his tally to 21.
Do you think Federer will return to Melbourne Park after two years?
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