Tennis Star Roger Federer’s mom says even at a young age her son was an ambitious athlete who hated losing.
Lynette Federer who was born in South Africa spoke to Kieno Kammies on Cape Talk this on Tuesday morning.
She says the eighth Wimbledon title holder made the decision to become a professional tennis player at the age of 14.
Lynette says her son loved all sports and could have been a very good football player as well.
“He was very ambitious. He didn’t like to lose, he was the worst loser ever. But I think because he had so much ambition in him that at one stage he thought ‘oh this is terrible’ but I think he just wanted to play the perfect game. He was a tiring child because he was so energetic.”
She says Roger picked up his passion for the sport from spending time with his parents on the tennis court.
“This sounds a little crazy but at the age of 14, he decided to leave home and go to the Swiss Tennis Centre to finish his limited schooling and then just start playing tennis professionally. He took the decision himself that he was going to go there. It was difficult.”
Lynette also says her son does his best to be a role model to other tennis players and children.