World No.3 Roger Federer has arrived in South Africa ahead of his exhibition match against Rafael Nadal on 7th February. The Swiss maestro will play in South Africa for the first time and he received an innumerable amount of love from the Africans. However, what took so long for the 20-time Grand Slam champion to play on the land of his mother?

“I don’t know what took me so long, to be quite honest. It’s not possible that I’m on tour for 20 years. I’ve become the player that I am, and I’ve never played in South Africa. It’s just not okay. I couldn’t live with myself if that happened. Life on tour sometimes is what it is,” said Federer.

“It’s going to be very special for me”: Roger Federer

Federer and Nadal will face each other in front of the record-breaking crowd of 50,000 in Cape Town. The pair aims to raise more than $1 million for the Roger Federer Foundation. The foundation supports early childhood education in Switzerland and six African countries. It has already reached more than a million children in its history.

Today, Federer met President Hage Geingob at State House in Namibia after visiting schools which benefit from an educational project supported by his foundation. He and his foundation team briefed the Head of State about their activities in Namibia. 

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“I couldn’t be more excited now that it’s finally happening. Also, that Rafa is willing to do is exciting, of course. I know my parents are very happy, very proud as well. I’m sure it’s going to be very, very special for me on many levels to play there,” he explained. 

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What to expect from Federer vs Nadal exhibition match?

South Africa means a lot to Federer as his mother Lynette Federer is an African. Hence the 38-year-old always wanted to make a difference in tennis there. 

The intriguing encounter between the two most decorated player of the sport will also include Bill Gates and South African comedian Trevor Noah. The charity match guarantees to be one of the most celebrated sporting events of the year in South Africa. Federer also expects a fantastic event in Cape Town.