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Just 11 of the best things we learnt about tennis legend Roger Federer from his Vogue 73 Questions video.

 

Dressed in white and sipping on ice-cold Pimms, tennis fans from around the world are in the midst of enjoying London’s Wimbledon Tennis Tournament.

Along with our own tennis champion, the formidable Ash Barty, and tennis ‘bad boys’ Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic, Swiss player Roger Federer is competing for his 21st Grand Slam title.

This week, Vogue interviewed the tennis legend and all-round great guy for their 73 Questions video series that asks celebrities… 73 questions.

Between talk of what it’s like to play on the hallowed turf of Wimbledon’s centre court and his signature backhand shot, here are 11 fascinating things we learnt about the World No. 3 player from watching the video.

You can hear Roger Federer speaking about his family in this snippet from the Vogue interview below. Post continues after video.

Video via Vogue

1. Roger Federer’s nickname.

In the opening minutes of the interview when asked if his family have any nicknames for him, Federer said:

“They call me Rodge, which in Swiss-German is ‘Rochi’.”

2. His favourite food.

Federer’s favourite food is… chocolate.

“I’m a chocoholic,” Feder told Vogue’s Joe Sabia when he asked the 37-year-old what the ‘most Swiss thing about him’ is.

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3. Roger couldn’t always tell his twins apart.

Conversation turned to Federer’s four children with his wife of 10 years Mirka Federer – identical twin girls, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva, nine, and twin boys, Leo and Lenny, four.

He admitted, yes, there was a time when he struggled to tell his twins apart.

“I used to [mix them up] sometimes if I couldn’t see their face right away,” Federer said when asked if he ever got them confused.

“But no, nowadays I’m a pro. Of course, I can tell them apart.”

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Roger Federer's family at Wimbledon in 2017. Image: Getty.

4. The biggest things Roger Federer's kids have taught him.

What have Federer's kids taught him?

"Patience, and snuggling again has been the best," he said, adding that he hopes he can "teach them everything I know, and more."

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5. Roger Federer's favourite TV show.

Federer conceded he's not keeping up with the latest Netflix or Stan shows right now. He used to love Prison Break, though.

"It was so cool," added.

6. The moment Roger Federer knew he was 'good' at tennis.

Federer shared it wasn't until he beat one of his tennis idols, American tennis player Pete Sampras, that he realised he was 'good' at tennis.

He said: "In the juniors, I thought I was good. But when I beat Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001, I knew I was good."

7. He once asked Anna Wintour for fashion advice.

While discussing his style icon (American fashion designer Tom Ford, in case you were wondering) and what clothing he feels his best in ("a bathing suit and a t-shirt on a beach somewhere"), Federer spoke of the time he asked iconic Vogue Editor-in-Chief and fashion authority Anna Wintour for some fashion advice.

"I once asked Anna if I should wear the dark or the light suit that evening. She said, 'the dark suit, of course, Roger'."

 

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Had a great time exploring the met!???????????? #heavenlybodies @metmuseum

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8. The 'Fire and Ice' tennis strategy Nick Kyrgios could use.

Federer explained the 'Fire and Ice' tennis strategy he credits much of his on-court success to. Cc: Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic.

"I think you've got to have a fire in the belly, wanting to win every point, to give it your absolute best. And ice in the veins, for me, is: you're so focused in the most important moments, you are so calm and so composed. That's what it is."

9. Roger Federer's most prized tennis possession.

When asked for his most-prized tennis possession among all the silverware he's won over the years, Federer said it's actually the net from his 2009 Wimbledon final against American player Andy Roddick.

Cool.

10. How Roger wants to be remembered.

"As a good guy for tennis, philanthropic.... and a good tennis player, maybe."

11. The best piece of tennis advice his mum gave him.

Last, we leave you with this golden piece of advice Federer's mum gave him about playing tennis.

"Never let the ball bounce twice. So simple, right?"

Yes, it is. In life, and in tennis.

You can watch Vogue's full 73 Questions With Roger Federer below.

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