Roger Federer, known today for his composed and graceful demeanor, wasn’t always the epitome of calmness on the court. In fact, during his early years, the Swiss tennis icon battled with a temper that often flared during matches. In a 2016 video for Nike, Federer shared a story that marked the beginning of his transformation into a more composed player.
Federer recalled a moment from his youth when his temper frustrated his father, Robert, to the point of walking away after a training session. “My dad would get frustrated. He said, ‘I don’t enjoy playing with you like that,'” Federer explained. His father then left him five Swiss Francs on the bench and told him he was leaving.
Federer, not fully believing his father had actually gone, waited for an hour, hoping Robert would return. When he finally checked the parking lot and found it empty, Federer had to take a long bus ride home. This incident gave him time to reflect on his behavior, and he humorously referred to it as the beginning of his journey toward becoming the calm, composed champion fans would later come to admire. “In a cute way, that’s how it all started,” Federer remarked.
This moment of tough love, though simple, had a profound impact on Federer’s attitude and helped shape him into one of the most composed athletes in tennis history.
