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Candid Federer opens up after WImbledon win

London - Roger Federer dispatched Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 to secure a record eighth Wimbledon title - and a 19th overall grand slam - on Sunday.

At his subsequent press conference, Federer was calm and candid about many aspects of his career: his childhood, his coaching team, his reasons for such a high level of success, what keeps him going and his number one supporter.

Federer on his childhood:

“I was not that kid who was pushed by his parents at the age of three. I was just really like a normal guy growing up in Basel, hoping to make a career on the tennis tour.”

“I guess I dreamed, I believed, and really hoped that I could actually maybe really do it, you know, to make it real.”

“So I put in a lot of work, and it paid off.”

It has certainly paid off in a big way!

How Federer sees the relationship with his coaching team:

“I truly believed, you know. For me it was also important that my team believed it, as well.”

“It wasn’t like just me trying to carry the team; I need the team to carry me most of the time because that’s the few percent that the team makes a difference.”

“Maybe when you’re doubting yourself, they reassure you. If you’re feeling too good, they make sure you come back to planet earth and put you in your place.”

“That’s where I think I have a wonderful team.”

What reasons does Federer attribute to his great success as a tennis player?

“I think at this stage it’s really consistency. I’m not shying away from the big stage. I’ve always been a big-stage player. I always felt like I played my best on the biggest courts.”

“I felt like I dreamed pretty big as a kid. I believed that maybe things were possible that maybe others thought were never going to be achievable.”

“Then I just think I trained really hard and really well and very clever over all the years.”

“I had wonderful, you know, amazing people around me in my wife today, my parents, who always kept me grounded, you know, kept me the person I am still today.”

“Then in the game, I guess, yes, I was blessed with a lot of talent, but I also had to work for it.”

What keeps Federer going?

“I love to play. My wonderful team. My wife’s totally fine with me still playing. She’s my number one supporter. She’s amazing.”

“Yeah, I still love playing the big stages. I don’t mind the practice. I don’t mind the travel.”

“Because I’m playing a little less, I actually get more time in return.”

“I feel like I’m working part-time these days.”

Long may this part-time tennis great continue to showcase his brilliance on and off the court, bringing so much pleasure to so many fans around the world.    

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