Roger Federer admits he regrets not meeting Nelson Mandela when the former South African President was alive

Federer was asked in an interview whether there was someone, dead or alive, he wished to meet.

Roger Federer admits he regrets not meeting Nelson Mandela when the former South African President was alive

Nelson Mandela, Roger Federer (Images via Imago)

Roger Federer, who, during his career as a tennis player, met many famous personalities, admitted that he regrets not meeting Nelson Mandela. In an interview with Vogue, he said he had the chance to meet the former President of South Africa but it did not happen in the end.

Federer retired in September 2022 after a doubles match with rival Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup. After retirement, he has been enjoying his time by vacationing with his family around different parts of the world.

YouTube video

Recently the documentary on the 20-time Grand Slam champion, ‘Federer: Twelve Final Days‘ was released. And Vogue, for his upcoming ‘visual biography’ from Assouline, which also contains photos of the famous personalities he met in his life, asked him if there was someone he wished to meet.

FS Video
I feel like I had the opportunity to meet him (Nelson Mandela) in those years when I was world number one and chasing all these things, but I don’t know: It just was not meant to be. And then at the end, when I was trying to figure it out, he passed away, and I have regrets that I didn’t get to see him.
Roger Federer told Vogue

The 42-year-old was born in Switzerland to a Swiss father. But his mother, Lynette Federer, is from South Africa. The Swiss maestro also holds South African citizenship. And in spite of representing Switzerland throughout his tennis career, he has stayed connected to his South African roots.

RELATED
“Goat of unforced errors” – Novak Djokovic gets called out on social media for following Andrew Tate
Novak Djokovic Andrew Tate

Roger Federer lauds Nelson Mandela for changing South Africa

Nelson Mandela, who always believed that “sport has the power to change the world,” passed away on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95. Due to his fight against various social issues, the most notable being his major contribution to end apartheid, he was awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize. Roger Federer paid tribute to Mandela during the 2020 Laureus Sports Awards.

Nelson Mandela, Roger Federer
Nelson Mandela (Image via Imago)
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.
Roger Federer said

Mandela gave that famous speech about sports at the inaugural Laureus Sports Awards in 2000. Federer has won six of these awards- five Sportsman of the Year and one Comeback of the Year.

In case you missed!