ROGER FEDERER revealed how his wife gave up on her own tennis career for the sake of their relationship.
Federer met Mirka Vavrinec when they both represented Switzerland at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Roger Federer and his wife Mirka have been married for 12 years after meeting in 2000
Roger Federer and his wife Mirka have been married for 12 years after meeting in 2000Credit: PA:Press Association
She has been by his side throughout his tennis career which includes eight Wimbledon crowns
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She has been by his side throughout his tennis career which includes eight Wimbledon crownsCredit: Alamy
They went on to play doubles together and started dating as their careers begun to take off.
But after picking up an injury that forced her off the circuit for a period in 2002, Mirka opted to stay away and instead support her man to a record 20 Grand Slams.
Speaking last year, Federer said: “She has been wonderful in terms of support.
“It was amazing how easily she walked away from tennis and retired, never really tried to come back.
“With me winning Wimbledon eventually and becoming the player I became, she was, like, ‘You know what, I’d rather have helped you have an amazing career [than] me having some kind of a career.
“‘And we won’t see each other and we’ll grow unhappy, and maybe we’ll break up because we won’t see each other enough.’
“We just love our time together and that’s still the case.”
Roger and Mirka became Mr and Mrs Federer when they tied the knot at Wenkenhof Villa near Basel in April 2009.
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They welcomed identical twin daughters Myla and Charlene later that year before identical twin boys Lenny and Leo were born.
The family – especially Mirka – are regularly spotted in the player’s box supporting the Swiss legend around the world.
But at this year’s Wimbledon, due to bio-secure team bubble rules, his wife and children have not travelled to London as Federer aimed to go for title No9 at the All England Club – and a 21st Major overall.
He added about Mirka to the Guardian in 2016: “When I met her I had zero titles. Today I have 88, so she’s been on this ride for the whole time.
Mirka represented Switzerland alongside Roger at the Sydney Olympics but stepped away from playing tennis in 2002
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Mirka represented Switzerland alongside Roger at the Sydney Olympics but stepped away from playing tennis in 2002Credit: Reuters
The Swiss couple have two sets of identical twins – Myla and Charlene followed by Lenny and Leo
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The Swiss couple have two sets of identical twins – Myla and Charlene followed by Lenny and LeoCredit: Getty
“She used to train five, six hours in a row. Her parents had to work extremely hard.
“She was tough, and she taught me how to work.
“I would be at the tennis centre and see her do six-hour sessions, and I’d think, I can’t do that.
“I’d check out mentally after an hour and go, this is so boring. So I’d get kicked out of practice for bad behaviour.”
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Federer credits his wife for the way she has helped develop him as a person on and off the court
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Federer credits his wife for the way she has helped develop him as a person on and off the courtCredit: Rex
