“Keep Believing”: Roger Federer Reveals the Reason Behind His Success

Roger Federer is unarguably one of the most iconic athletes in the sporting world. The Swiss Maestro has single-handedly popularized tennis across the globe and has inspired an entire generation. Apart from his greatest on-court achievements, Federer has embodied the right values and has been an outstanding example for budding tennis players.

Despite being 39 years old, Federer’s elegance and his beautiful stroke-making continue to dazzle the fans. He still holds the record of the most Grand Slam titles won by a male player alongside his arch-rival Rafael Nadal. To top it up, Federer has spent a record 310 weeks at the No.1 ranking during the entirety of his career, a feat which still stands unbeaten.

During a recent interview, Federer revealed that he never dreamt of winning 20 Grand Slams or becoming the World No.1. Hailing from Switzerland, he acknowledged that he never imagined he would achieve enormous success considering his normal upbringing.

“I am actually not quite sure exactly why I succeeded as much as I did. You don’t aim for 20 Grand Slams. You don’t aim for World No.1, not in my normal upbringing. In Switzerland, I am not sure if we dreamed this big. It’s not something that happens quickly or easily,” said Federer.

Winning his first major championship at the 2003 Wimbledon, Federer went on the win a record 103 ATP titles, second highest on the list behind Jimmy Connors (109).

Reach for the stars: Roger Federer

However, the 8-time Wimbledon champion stressed on the importance of believing in oneself and having a positive attitude. He further admitted that it is imperative to have the right set of people around you and giving your best effort. Federer has repeatedly thanked his late coach, Peter Carter, who had a deep influence on the Swiss during his formative years.

“If you’re passionate about what you are doing, keep going, keep believing, reach for the stars. And you’re positive, and you surround yourself with the right people. You really go for it. You can always control your mind, your fitness, your best effort.” remarked Roger.

After going through a knee surgery in February this year, Federer withdrew from the rest of the season. Undergoing rehabilitation currently, he is expected to return into action at the 2021 Australian Open.