ZCZC
BSP-05
TENNIS-OPEN-AUS-FEDERER-CHILDREN
Federer not keen on his kids following in footsteps
MELBOURNE, Jan 21, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Roger Federer says he’s a big believer
in kids playing sport, but he’s not keen on his own children following in his
footsteps.
The Swiss great and wife Mirka had identical twins Myla Rose and Charlene
Riva in 2009 and another set came along five years later, Leo and Lenny.
They are occasionally seen watching their dad ply his trade, but after
years travelling the world on the tennis tour, the 36-year-old would prefer
not to have to do it all over again.
“I mean, I hope they don’t just because we don’t need another 25 years on
tour,” he said at the Australian Open when asked if he would encourage them
to be professional players.
But he added: “No, I’m just a supportive parent. I can’t tell which
direction they’re going to go.
“If there’s going to be anything in sports or somewhere in finance or
business, I have no idea where they’re going to go. All I know is I’ll be
incredibly supportive of them.”
He did reveal they already play tennis, not because he has been encouraging
them, but because their friends all do and he doesn’t want them to feel left
out.
“I’m happy they all do play tennis a little bit because basically literally
all our friends who have kids as well, they all play tennis,” he said.
“I wouldn’t want my kids to be the only ones who don’t play tennis, so with
my wife we have sort of a little requirement on things they have to do in
their life, and tennis is unfortunately one of them.
“It’s not because we want them to. It’s because I think it would be a pity
if they played no tennis at all.”
Despite the reluctance for his children to follow in his footsteps,
Federer, who is chasing a 20th Grand Slam in Melbourne, is a great believer
in kids playing sport more generally, believing it can teach them a lot.
“I think it’s great for them to do sports early on in their life. I think
it’s good for them,” he said.
“Winning, losing, that comes a little bit later, but you learn a lot from
that. I did anyway. I think also you make a lot of friends through sports.
“You get to know yourself a bit better. It’s healthy. You move around. You
go outside. I’m a big believer in these things.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/0925 hrs