20-time grand slam champion Roger Federer has said that he ‘expected more’ from his national football team following their recent defeat at the World Cup.
On Tuesday Switzerland was denied a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament following a 1-0 loss to Sweden. A country who are 18 places behind them in the FIFA World rankings. Victory would have elevated Switzerland to the last eight of the tournament for the first time since 1954. Speaking about his country’s defeat, Federer admitted that he was disappointed with how the team performed.
“I was disappointed yesterday. I expected more from the team. But that’s the thing with a knock-out. When you have to bring it like it was the finals every match, it’s 11 guys at the same time. It can’t just be three guys, eight guys. It needs to be everybody at the same time doing the same thing.” He told reporters at Wimbledon.
“I felt it’s an opportunity missed. I think we had our chance against Sweden. In the end, I thought they were maybe a little bit better. We didn’t create enough chances. At the end, I do believe the one who usually creates a bit more deserves it, as well.”
Back in his homeland, Federer is one of his country’s most respected celebrities. He has won Swiss Athlete of The Year nine times. In 2012 he was voted the second greatest Swiss person of all time after Albert Einstein.
Continuing to discuss football, the 36-year-old provided some advice to his fellow countrymen based on his own experience. Federer currently has 98 ATP titles to his name and has spent a record 310 weeks as world No.1.
“I think important is that they understand you got to bring the energy every single day. It’s throughout the year. It’s not just in the World Cup, last 16, or quarters. That’s why you need to bring it every single day.” He said.
“When you step out on the pitch, or on the court in tennis, in practice, in the match, you have to always try to be able to as high as possible.”
Now there is no more Swiss interest in the World Cup, who will Federer be cheering for?
“I don’t know who I’m going to root for yet. I have to check it out. But my favourite team is gone, so it won’t be the same any more for me.” Federer concluded.
Federer will play Jan-Lennard Struff in the third round at Wimbledon. On Wednesday he dismissed Lukas Lacko in straight sets. Dropping only three points behind his first serve and hitting 48 winners to just 11 unforced errors.
