“Roger and I used to play cricket,” Rohan Bopanna revisits core Roger Federer memories and the Swiss charm that changed tennis on and off the court

Rohan Bopanna speaks highly of Roger Federer in a recent interview.

“Roger and I used to play cricket,” Rohan Bopanna revisits core Roger Federer memories and the Swiss charm that changed tennis on and off the court

Roger Federer and Rohan Bopanna (via X)

Roger Federer, one of the greats of tennis has always been an icon to millions around the world. Federer, the beacon of sportsmanship, inspired countless fans all over the world with his on-court tennis and off-court philanthropy. Almost everyone in the field of tennis speaks highly of the 20-time Grand Slam winner. 

Even the current doubles World No.1 Rohan Bopanna spoke highly of Federer in a recent interview. Having been in the same locker room as Federer many times, Bopanna shares a unique bond with the Swiss star. 

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In a recent interview on The Other Side, the Indian gave reasons as to what makes Federer the G.O.A.T. He pointed out that Federer communicated well with all the players and understood them, making him the amazing player that he is. Federer and Bopanna were rivals only for one professional match back in 2006, where the Swiss won over the Indian.

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I think how he changed the sport, not only on the court but off the court as well. He was somebody who communicated with all the players and understood them. Even though he was such a great champion, no matter where he met some players, he was always amazing.
Rohan Bopanna via The Other Side

Other than this one encounter, both the players have usually met in the locker room and Bopanna even told a few locker room secrets. 

Rohan Bopanna claims he is a better cricketer than Federer as she shares a few locker room secrets

Not many people have known this before, but Federer also played a little bit of cricket, courtesy of Rohan Bopanna. 

Roger Federer and Rohan Bopanna
Roger Federer and Rohan Bopanna (via Daily Express)

In a recent interview on The Other Side, the Indian spoke highly of his friend, Roger Federer, and even revealed a few well-spent moments that remain as a core memory. With Bopanna, always playing the doubles and Federer leading the singles, they would often find themselves stuck in the same locker room due to timings on the same court. With Federer’s interest in cricket acquired from his mom’s countryside in South Africa and Bopanna’s inheritance of the sport, they played some cricket in the warm-up area.

Using the tennis racquet handle as a bat and bowling underarm off-spin and leg-spin, both the tennis professionals spent their time together playing cricket in the warm-up area. In addition to this, Bopanna also revealed who was better. Without any hesitation, the Indian said that he was better than the Swiss. After all, it would be unfair if Federer was the greatest in all the sports.

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