Swiss master Roger Federer has fond memories of Australian adventure. Source: Getty Images
ROGER Federer is making his first visit to Queensland this summer. Or so we thought. Turns out the Swiss champ has been here before.
It turns out he remembers fondly a driving holiday for the Swiss family Federer from Brisbane to Cairns when he was 14.
"Roger's road trip", driving from Sydney, was with parents Lynette and Robert and elder sister Diana.
"It was our last vacation before I entered the National Tennis Centre in Switzerland," said Federer, who will play his first tournament in Queensland at the Brisbane International from December 29 to January 5. "I travelled through Queensland with my family.
"We did Rainbow Beach, we spent a few nights in Brisbane, and then went up to Cairns. It was great weather mostly."
Brisbane International tournament director Cameron Pearson said Federer, who has a fearsome memory of his tennis and life experiences, mentioned to him his recollections of Rockhampton, where Rod Laver grew up for many years.
"Of all the places which stood out in his mind, he especially recalled getting to Gladstone and crossing the Gateway Bridge," he said.
The Federers whiled away a week at Heron Island.
"When you drive a lot, you come in contact with a lot of the people. I remember we never had any problems whatsoever and the people were very friendly and helpful," Federer said.
"We flew back from Cairns to Sydney. Ever since, I've loved Australia. I've also had Australian coaches as many know and always enjoyed coming back to Australia."
Peter Carter coached Federer in his formative years as a professional and many of his Grand Slam titles were won with the assistance of Tony Roche.
It took 18 years or so for the greatest winner of major men's tennis titles to find his way back to Queensland.
We can be sure his teenage holiday gave him an additional reason to bring his wife Mirka and twin four-year-olds, Charlene and Myla.
But what sort of tennis will the living legend put on in Brisbane?
Federer, 32, is ranked sixth and has won one title this year, compared to 12 in 2006, his most productive on tour.
World No.1 Rafael Nadal said in Paris this week that he is braced for Federer to resemble his former self in the Australian summer.
Laver said in Brisbane on Thursday that Federer might be "the champion of next year".
Given Federer's regard for Laver and his feel for tennis history, if he hears it from the Queensland legend at Tennyson over Christmas and New Year he might dissolve into tears all over again, as he did at the presentations for the 2006 Australian Open spoils.
"His abilities are unchallenged," Laver said.
"His classical all-court game . . . you marvel how someone can do this in today's world (against) Nadal, with his double-fisted backhand and huge forehand. How do you volley against someone who plays like that?
"I saw Roger play at Wimbledon and the first match he played perfect. Then he loses a match (to Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky) that he could probably win with his eyes closed.
"Once in a while, it happened to me (when playing after the age of 30), for no reason. I think maybe that is going (on) a little bit with Roger."
Queensland sports lovers who have not seen Federer play in the flesh at the Australian Open or another tournament should take the precious chance, Laver urges.
But if his visit does not net him the first silverware up for grabs in his 2014 season of redemption, and a flying start for an 18th Grand Slam title in Melbourne, at least he will have memories of a second trip to Queensland.
06 Nov, 2013
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/roger-federer-recalls-road-trip-in-queensland-with-family/story-fndkzym4-1226754275002?from=public_rss
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