Roger Federer gives himself ‘BAD LOSER’ tag which led his football career dreams to SHATTER

Roger Federer reveals his passion for football and the reasons for choosing professional tennis as a career.

Roger Federer gives himself ‘BAD LOSER’ tag which led his football career dreams to SHATTER

Roger Federer playing football (Image Credit: FirstSportz)

Roger Federer is one of the greatest tennis players who played the sport. He played on the court like it was a ballet. He used to play even the most difficult shots with meticulous ease and poise.

However, there was a time when he wanted to become a professional footballer instead of a tennis player. Since young he was a football fan and cheered for his home club FC Basel. He acknowledged he was good at football too, but he had his reasons for making the switch to tennis.

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In a funny statement, the eight-time Wimbledon champion gave his reasons for deciding to play tennis professionally.

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“I was good at football but in this sport you don’t progress at the same pace as tennis. It takes longer to become professional. Besides, I liked the idea of being the only one to blame in case of failure. In football, I have always been a bad loser. I often said ‘the goalkeeper really sucked today’ or ‘I can’t believe we lost,” he said.

This decision to become a tennis player changed the world for good. In a long and illustrious career, Roger Federer won 102 titles, which includes 20 Grand Slam titles. However, his contribution is even greater that he made tennis one of the most popular sports in the world.

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Roger Federer’s love for football

Roger Federer playing football (Image Credit: Essentially Sports)
Roger Federer playing football (Image Credit: Essentially Sports)

The Swiss legend has on many occassions expressed his love for football. Roger Federer supports the Swiss national football team and FC Basel. As a matter of fact, he even trained as a footballer. He used to play in the youth teams of FC Concordia Basel. It is a football team which plays in the fifth division of Swiss football league system.

In an old interview, he reminisced his football playing days. The six-time Australian Open champion also talked about at which position and role he would be able to play in a football team.

“When I was 12 years old my tennis schedule was so full that I just couldn’t compete in other sports. I like to think I could have been a footballer. I was an attacking midfielder or center forward. I was a good leader, so I would have been a good captain,”the Swiss legend had answered.

He also told the football legends whom he used to admire when young.

“My first idol was Karl Odermatt, then I fell in love with Christian Gimenez and also with Massimo Ceccaroni,” he continued.

After retirement too, Roger Federer continues to advance his love affair with football. He regularly follows his favorite football club FC Basel’s fixtures and results.

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