Roger Federer has strong South African roots as his mother was born in the Johannesburg area. The Swiss champion is used to go to South Africa especially to help his foundation that is extremely active in that part of the world. He also organized the Match for Africa in February. That was an exhibition with the presence of Rafael Nadal, Bill Gates, and Trevor Noah.
Roger is the most decorated Laureus sportsman. He won the Laureus Sports Award on 6 occasions and he was asked to talk about its first promoter, Nelson Mandela. The South African icon spoke during the first ceremony in Monte Carlo on the 25th of May 2000 giving a powerful speech about the role of the sport in the world.
Roger regrets for not being able to meet ‘Madiba’ that passed away in 2013. The 20-slam champion had probably the opportunity to meet Mandela back in 2004, but he couldn’t;t make it.
“I am unfortunate that I have never been able to meet Nelson Mandela. I didn’t go back to South Africa for, I think, 10 years after I was there in 2004. I think the last time, maybe, that would have been an opportunity to go and meet him, but it didn’t happen,” said Roger.
Then Federer stressed the attachment he has with South Africa. Besides the fact that his mother is South African he and his children also hold a South African passport.
“So what do I think of him as a person? I think he’s been incredibly influential and inspiring on so many levels. My mum is from South Africa. I have the South African passport still myself, and so do my kids. So I feel very connected to the country,” he commented.
Roger is also grateful for the role that Mandela had in changing the country from a regime based on the apartheid to a proper democracy.
“He changed the country in a very positive way. So yeah, we can’t be thankful enough to him for what he has given to the country,” said Roger Federer.
"My mum is from South Africa, I feel very connected to the country…Nelson Mandela's been incredibly influential and inspiring on so many levels."
As we celebrate 20 years of Madiba's inspiring words, here's the Laureus 🐐 @rogerfederer on the great man 🇿🇦#PowerOfSport pic.twitter.com/qpWLW94RnH
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) May 26, 2020
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Roger Federer in 2020
At the moment ranked no.4, the Swiss played his last match on the 30th of January when he surrendered to Novak Djokovic 7-61 6-4 6-3 in the semifinal of the Australian Open.
Roger Federer’s best result of the present season was getting to the semi-finals at the Australian Open.
