Former French Open winner Adriano Panatta pens down a heart-warming message on Roger Federer’s 40th Birthday


Former French Open winner Adriano Panatta pens down a heart-warming message on Roger Federer’s 40th Birthday

Roger Federer

20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer received wishes and heart-warming galore on his 40th Birthday on August 8. The Swiss maestro’s was even bestowed with praises from current and former tennis professionals.

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Among the well-wishers, former French Open champion Adriano Panatta too was noticed joining in the bandwagon. The Italian wrote a letter on Federer’s 40th birthday, which was published in La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Dear Roger, first of all best wishes for your 40th birthday,” wrote Adriano Panatta. “I don’t remember exactly when I saw you play the first time, but I have well in mind the impression you gave me: you were little more than a kid, but you had something different than the others.”

Panatta also mentioned how Federer’s natural talent and graceful movement have contributed to his genius at work.

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“It must have been the elegance of the strokes, the grace in the movements: you (Roger Federer) were special,” Panatta went on. “And in fact – it was not difficult to predict – you have become what you have become: a unique, inimitable player, perhaps the strongest, certainly the one who plays best,” the 71-year-old explained.

While Federer is already 40 and is approaching the end of his celebrated career, the former World No.4 Panatta believes that the former World No.1 has earned the right to bid adieu to the game on his own terms.

Let Roger retire on his own terms

Roger Federer
Roger Federer

“Many ask me if there will be players similar to Federer in the future. I do not believe it,” the Italian continued. “Also because the prototype of the modern player is different. Roger has to stop when he feels like it, without letting himself be influenced. Federer will remain forever, the one who plays like no other.”

Currently, the Swiss player has pulled out of the Toronto and Cincinnati Masters, as he is reportedly recovering from a knee injury. However, one expects the five-time US Open champion Federer to play the final Slam of the year in New York, later in the month.

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Also read: “Nobody made Federer fit into a mould. A mould was made to fit Federer” The Master – Roger Federer’s new biography written by Christopher Clarey to be out soon