Roger Federer: Watching Me Play Isn’t A Religous Experience

by Tom Gainey | January 19th, 2015, 4:29 pm
  • 5 Comments

Following a thorough straight set win last night over Rendy Lu in the Australian Open first round, Roger Federer was asked of his impression of the famed David Foster Wallace article on Swiss that described watching Federer as a religious experience.

“Just a slight exaggeration,” Federer joked. “I’ve been through this entire phase where I got so many compliments, you just thought, Wow, this is the best feeling in the world. But very quickly you get the feeling as well that not everything’s so great sometimes when you don’t play very well. I’ve been on both sides. That’s why I have no problem accepting criticism, because I’ve gotten so many compliments over the years. It’s part of the game.

“But clearly some unbelievable pieces have been written about me, about tennis, about other players. It’s interesting to read them. Sometimes just slightly exaggerated, but everybody can judge that the way they want.”


The four-time champion is a perfect 5-0 this year. He’ll face Simone Bolelli on Wednesday.


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5 Comments for Roger Federer: Watching Me Play Isn’t A Religous Experience

Michael Says:

Watching Roger in action is a Mozart on Court who with his fine and sublime display mesmerizes the spectators and keep them spell bound raving about the genius of this man who can literally do anything with his magical racquet, make some of the ridiculous of drops, angles, passes and lobs with ease. Roger is a complete player who has all the shots in his arsenal and it is not an exaggeration to say that he is born for playing Tennis as his miraculous fitness over the years proves. Even at this age, he is so fit and motivated that he has become an object of jealousy for his contemporaries. If not for it, Roger would not have been able to reach the pinnacle of glorious heights that he has managed in his illustrious career.


Tennis Island Says:

Humble as always. For regular players, it is a big experience to see how he plays. Too many things to miss from Federer’s lessons


Yolita Says:

Well… I am not a religious person, I was born and raised an atheist.
But if watching a man hit a yellow ball is a religious experience, then I guess I’m not missing much.
I love watching tennis: but it’s an entertainment for me… Nothing more.


RZ Says:

It’s not a religious experience for me either. But I do enjoy watching Fed in “maestro mode.” Usually I don’t like to watch one player completely dominate another but when Fed is playing his best it’s something else.


Gee Says:

I don’t like him because he doesn’t worship Novak as much as roddick worships fed.

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