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'Family quarterback': Roger Federer's candid injury admission

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·2-min read
Roger Federer (pictured right) shares a photo with his wife Mirka (pictured left).
Roger Federer (pictured right) said he took the opportunity during his injury and the coronavirus break to play the 'quarterback' with his family and wife Mirka (pictured left). (Getty Images)

Roger Federer has admitted his extended injury break in 2020 afforded him more time with his family and he was able to act as a 'quarterback'.

Federer spent the majority of 2020 at home with Mirka and the kids due to his knee injury and the extended lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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While the 39-year-old started a worldwide trend of tennis skills during lockdown, he also had more time for family, friends and chores.

He admitted he didn't want much TV or Netflix during the period as he was kept busy.

"No, I haven't 'binged' that much, neither movies nor series," Federer said to Numero.

"I was busy becoming the family quarterback, for once. In my tennis life, I make the big decisions and people manage the day-to-day for me.

"There, I was really happy to pilot details with my wife, to think of things for the children, the garden, the house."

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Federer's chats with Rafael Nadal

The 20-time Grand Slam champ admitted not making huge calls on his tennis career for the first time in a while was relaxing.

But he also admitted he did spend a fair bit of time talking to rival and friend Rafael Nadal about ATP decisions.

"I made video meetings with ATP, I communicated with Rafa [Nadal] in particular," Federer said.

DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 10: Roger Federer of Switzerland walks out to play in his match against Dan Evans of Great Britain on Day 3 of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on March 10, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mohamed Farag/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR - MARCH 10: Roger Federer of Switzerland walks out to play in his match against Dan Evans of Great Britain on Day 3 of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open at Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on March 10, 2021 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Mohamed Farag/Getty Images) (Mohamed Farag via Getty Images)

"In my normal life, everything was improvised based on the results. I often left at the last minute, took out my things and put them back together. Since the confinement, I have had time."

Federer also put the global pandemic in perspective and said you can no longer take for granted asking a simple question like 'how are you?' to friends and family.

The Swiss maestro announced he wouldn't take part in the Miami Open, only a few weeks after making his come back to the ATP after being out for more than a year.

Federer was dumped out of the Dubai Open in his second-match back and has since taken further time to recover from his injury.

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