Roger Federer on Designing Racquets and Ticking Off a Bucket-List Tennis Dream in Central Park

Despite his extraordinary accomplishments, Roger Federer still has a bucket list when it comes to tennis. While most tennis enthusiasts would dream of simply attending the Australian Open, Federer has won the event six times. Yet, even for a legend like him, some moments remain on his personal “must-do” list.

One such moment occurred during one of his final US Open appearances. Dealing with lingering back issues, Federer sought a break from the long car rides from Manhattan to the courts in Queens. “Long car rides were a bit of a drag,” Federer recalled. To avoid the grind of traffic and find an enjoyable alternative, Federer made a unique request to his team: “I said to my coaches: Is it possible I can play in Central Park?”

For most, securing a tennis court in Central Park can be a challenge, often requiring people to arrive before dawn or wait in long lines. But for Federer, things were a bit different.

“We actually went, and there were normal people playing next to us,” Federer reminisced. “They started looking at me like, ‘Are you kidding me? This is not real.’” Playing tennis in Central Park while still competing in the US Open became an unforgettable bucket-list experience for Federer, one that made a lasting impression. “I still remember vividly that it was just a cool moment.” he added.

The memory of hitting on those iconic public courts while still in the tournament serves as a reminder that, even for Federer, simple pleasures in the game remain special.