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Writer's picturePriscila Z Vendramini Mezzena
Jun 254 min read

Career Lessons from a Tennis Legend

As a sports fan and especially a tennis enthusiast, which I've been practicing for many years, I eagerly awaited the release of the documentary "Federer - Twelve Final Days" on Prime Video on 06/20/24: https://tinyurl.com/3n2r277p


Federer is a tennis legend and one of the greatest athletes ever. Over 24 years, he accumulated impressive numbers, including 20 Grand Slams. In 2022, at 41 years old, he decided to retire from the professional circuit after successive knee injuries. His merit goes far beyond the titles he won and is reflected in the respect and admiration he holds beyond the courts. Federer is a symbol of sportsmanship, discipline, and elegance, revered worldwide.


The emotional documentary explores the last 12 days of Federer's professional career. Just as when I watched his last official match at the Laver Cup, I was in tears again. The documentary begins with a recording of Roger's speech for the official retirement announcement. The firmness of the decision was accompanied by the pain of the farewell, not only for the athlete but also for his family, who have always been very present in his career, and friends. Nadal, a great rival and friend off the court, described his sadness upon hearing about the farewell. For his last official match, recognizing his limitation for singles play, Federer chose Nadal to form his doubles partner in an emotional game that ended in a tie-break loss.


Physical and mental demands are very high for professional athletes, especially in individual sports. Even for amateur tennis players, the need for dedication and mental control is evident. It's a sport where physicality and strategy make all the difference. The pressure is high since there is no substitution as in team sports. In this sport, Federer is undoubtedly the most admired player for the beauty of his strokes, making complex techniques seem easy to execute. In many clay court matches Federer's socks remained immaculate. During the Gillette Federer Tour, I saw him play live at Ibirapuera in 2012—a gentleman on and off the court.


Many attributes of Federer, also presented in this brief documentary, provide lessons for building a solid career:

  • Passion for the Craft: His farewell letter includes a series of thanks and ends with an emotional declaration of love for tennis.

  • Dedication and Resilience: Federer had a long career in a sport where many players retire around 30. In 2018, he became the oldest number 1 in history. In the documentary, he confesses that he didn't like the gym despite the necessity for high performance.

  • Awareness of Importance: In a Laver Cup press conference, Federer announced that he considered it essential to retire first when he saw some of the younger players present and nearing retirement. He also showed concern for the fans regarding the retirement announcement and clarified that he would not distance himself from the sport.

  • Ability to Learn: The player, who in his early years was more "hot-headed" and broke rackets, matured and increased his self-control, establishing himself as a model of fair play.

  • Building Strategic Partnerships: Roger established solid partnerships with strategic sponsors such as Nike, Rolex, Uniqlo, Credit Suisse, Lindt, Gillette, and Wilson, among many others, making him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.

  • Image and Reputation: Federer has not been involved in scandals, is widely respected in the sports world, and has refined his image, symbolizing elegance on and off the court. He is always very accessible in interviews, articulate, and polite. He has a peculiar sense of humor; in a famous video with Nadal, Federer cannot contain his laughter. For his farewell, he gathered at the Laver Cup, besides Nadal, his other great rivals Djokovic, Andy Murray, Berrettini, and Tsitsipas, the last two being the younger representatives of European tennis.

  • Building on Rivalry: In the documentary, Federer talks about the importance of recognizing new talents and that he saw great potential in Nadal from the beginning. Nadal ended up becoming a great friend off the court. He accepted the invitation to be Federer's last official doubles partner, even on the eve of the birth of his first child. Tennis fans love the "Fedal" duo. It's impossible not to be moved by Nadal's copious tears during the farewell of his great friend.

  • Solid Foundations and Stability: Federer's family has always been present in his career, mainly through his parents and his wife, Mirka, a former tennis player. The documentary makes very clear the importance of a strong family base and the central role of family in Federer's life and career, which brought balance and stability.

  • Authenticity: Federer mentions that his attitude was questioned when the game's s results were unfavorable. He highlights that grunting or shouting were not part of his personality, despite being characteristics of many players.

  • Vulnerability: Federer often appears emotional, anxious, and apprehensive about the farewell. His speech after the defeat at the Laver Cup brought thousands of people to tears (myself included). He also shows apprehension about what his life will be like after retirement. On several occasions, the Swiss openly showed his emotions. I remember an Australian Open when he received the trophy from Rod Laver. And a defeat to Nadal also in the final of an Australian Open: Federer, in the first attempt, couldn't make his speech; the empathetic Nadal went to him and encouraged him to continue, demonstrating great respect for his opponent.

  • Long-term Vision: Despite the anguish of retirement, Roger is aware of the importance he still has and will have for the sport, making it clear to fans that he will be present. He compares his farewell to Bjorn Borg, who, after retirement, spent years without returning to a tennis court.

  • Social Awareness: Created in 2003, the Roger Federer Foundation conducts social activities in African countries, including South Africa, his mother's homeland.

  • Reverence: Federer suggested naming the Laver Cup to recognize former tennis player Rod Laver's contributions. He also expresses his admiration for Bjorn Borg.


In summary, it is a documentary worth watching! Federer has an admirable career, and his legacy will be eternal for the sport. He may not be the player with the most titles, but he will undoubtedly be one of the most remembered for his contributions on and off the court. For tennis fans, it's time to prepare for Nadal's retirement, which is approaching. Another great athlete with admirable attributes who deserves to be appreciated. But that will be another exciting story for reflection.






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