Tennis: Doppelbürger Federer meets South Africa Anderson

Roger Federer (36) has a special relationship with the African continent. On the one hand, with his foundation, he is generously involved in a better education for disadvantaged children, on the other hand he is also a dual citizen thanks to his South African mother Lynette (1965)

Wednesday for the first time at a Grand Slam tournament on a player from Lynette's homeland. Federer takes the easy task: "It's not necessarily special – I know Anderson most through the ATP Players Council."

Nevertheless, he has a closer relationship with his South African roots when he thinks back to his junior years and his debut as a professional. "It was special for me to play Wayne Ferreira, I supported him when he participated in the Swiss Indoors, and I sat in the stadium and fancy for him." Federer after the quarterbacks Finals at Wimbledon

Ferreira, 46, who resigned in 2005, allows young Roger to get into the tour more easily – help him as a kind of mentor. "That's why Ferreira was a lot more important for me, "Federer said in retrospect, and the two even played three doubles tournaments, including at Wimbledon in 2001. The Ferreira / Federer duo qualified for the knockout stage.

year, Ferreira, who lives with his wife and two children in the United States, lives in Wimbledon there as a participant in Legend Doubles, otherwise he is no longer involved in the private tennis industry.

How does he see the Swiss-South Africa quarter-final? Ferreira said on Tuesday: "C e will be the most difficult match for Federer so far in this tournament. He has not played against anyone with such service and ground beats here yet. Until now, it has not been pushed, it will change and require a change in its game. "

Who does it support?" It's hard. Roger is my favorite, but I want to see Kevin win because he's a South African and a friend. He must believe in himself, especially in the decisive stages like a tie-break, "explains Ferreira, who is 2-1 against Federer himself.

Anderson does not look very good. He lost the four duels, most recently in Cincinnati in 2015.

Published 11.07.2018 | Updated at 10:05