“What you see is what you get with him,” Co-Director of ‘Federer: Twelve Final Days’ Joe Sabia reveals how Roger Federer greeted him when he met the Swiss maestro for the first time

Sabia met Federer for the first time at the 2019 Wimbledon and also filmed the finals days of the Swiss maestro.

“What you see is what you get with him,” Co-Director of ‘Federer: Twelve Final Days’ Joe Sabia reveals how Roger Federer greeted him when he met the Swiss maestro for the first time

Joe Sabia and Roger Federer (Image via Imago)

When Joe Sabia interviewed Roger Federer for Vogue, the tennis legend did not forget the friendship as he ensured Sabia became an important part of the Federer: Twelve Final Days documentary which Amazon Prime Video released a few days ago. During an interview, the American content producer, who co-directed the documentary shared details about his first meeting with the Swiss maestro. 

Sabia filmed the finals days of Federer, which evolved into the documentary almost two years later and which received positive reviews from fans and critics. The 40-year-old American, who is popular for his 73 Questions on Vogue, met Federer for the first time at the 2019 Wimbledon and revealed how the Swiss legend warmly greeted him. “What you see is what you get with Roger,” said Sabia.

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The first time I met him, he gave me a bear hug. I thought, wow, that's extremely warm and disarming and comforting that he's willing to do that. When I came to interview him. Actually, he's there to have fun.
Joe Sabia told Tennis365

The 20-time Grand Slam champion retired in September 2022 after featuring in the Laver Cup. He teamed up with Rafael Nadal for the doubles matches and lost in the first round to American pair Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe. 

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Joe Sabia praises Roger Federer’s down-to-earth personality

Roger Federer was elegant on the field and off the field he is no different. Joe Sabia said the 42-year-old is not self-centered and cares for those who are around him. 

Joe Sabia, Roger Federer
Roger Federer (Image via Imago) 
He has a lack of self-centered focus and I think you see that in the way that he carries himself, especially with his rivals. This film shows him with his rivals and the way that they carry each other, knowing that it’s a chance to put down animosity, it’s a chance to put down the rivalry of it all and just see each other as men.
Joe Sabia told Tennis365 

The former World No.1 was the first player in the history of men’s tennis to win 20 Grand Slam titles and retired after a 1251–275 win-loss record in singles. He is third on the list of most major titles, with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal occupying the first two spots with 24 and 22 titles respectively. Both Djokovic and Nadal are still playing, though form and injury problems have stopped them from winning any titles this season. 

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