ROGER FEDERER NEWS
May 18, 2021 -- Geneva, Switzerland Roger returned to the ATP Tour today after two months away from competition. It was also his first match back on clay for the first time in almost two years. Facing an always tricky Pablo Andujar, there were several momentum shifts but Roger just couldn't pull out the victory and fell 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. "It (losing) never feels great. Looking at the long road that I have been on from the comeback, sure it's rewarding to be back on a tennis court but you know I expect better from myself. I was a bit limited today, I felt, on the court. It us what it is. You just have to accept it and move on." However, Roger is hopeful for grass season and did add, "The goal is the grass so I still have time."
Switzerland Tourism's new ambassador Roger Federer features in the organisation's latest film. He's joined by legendary actor and Oscar winner Robert De Niro. In the short film, De Niro turns down an invitation by Roger Federer to be part of a movie about Switzerland. De Niro thinks, the destination is pure, impressive and utterly beautiful - but there is no drama in Switzerland, something De Niro focuses his acting upon. The film can be seen online worldwide.
Earlier this year Roger Federer has announced his new role as ambassador for Switzerland Tourism. "I was really excited to have a worldwide campaign where I can invite people to Switzerland to highlight its beauty because I am so very proud to be from such a beautiful country" describes Roger Federer his motivation. To do so, Federer reached out for support from Hollywood: A plan to showcase the beauty of the travel destination Switzerland in a movie featuring Roger Federer and Robert De Niro is the plot of Switzerland Tourism's latest film.
Robert De Niro answered Roger Federer's call
In the film, viewers can witness a conversation between the tennis player and the Oscar winning actor. Federer is trying hard to convince De Niro to be part of his project. But, spoiler alert, De Niro turns down Federer, at least for this fictional project of a Switzerland film. In reality though, De Niro was very willing to respond to Federer's call for help. Roger Federer: "I've admired Robert De Niro's work for quite some time now, but I wasn't sure he'd agree to be part of our Swiss project. I'm very excited it worked out so well." The film shot last fall in Zermatt, Switzerland, and New York, USA, can be viewed online worldwide. "Adding this touch of Hollywood to our campaign will bring more attention to Switzerland and its dramatically beautiful nature" states Martin Nydegger, CEO of Switzerland Tourism.
Roger's choice to convince De Niro
The cooperation with Roger Federer will see more common projects in the future. Already up and running is a new website featuring "Roger's Choice" of things to discover and do in Switzerland. It can be found on MySwitzerland.com/Roger. The variety of experiences featured here is vast, going from relaxing and reenergizing up to very dramatic. Scrolling through them might even make Robert De Niro change his mind! Asked about this Robert De Niro says, "I'm tempted to discover Switzerland's natural beauty soon - maybe together with Roger."
No Drama, the film
YouTube link to the No Drama movie: https://youtu.be/wXcBGfXXL4w
Roger Federer’s choice
An exclusive insight into some of Roger Federer’s favourite spots and places he still wants to explore in Switzerland! Roger Federer’s choice: MySwitzerland.com/Roger
March 29, 2021 -- After years of positively representing Switzerland through his sporting excellence and friendly, down-to-earth manner, Roger Federer has now become an official brand ambassador for the destination of Switzerland. He’s entering into a long-term cooperation with the Swiss national tourism board, Switzerland Tourism (ST). The common goal: attracting guests to visit Switzerland with its energizing nature.
Roger Federer and Switzerland Tourism (ST) will together develop initiatives to promote Switzerland globally. The support is much needed at this time, emerging from the biggest tourism crisis since the Second World War. Nobody is more equipped to do so than this iconic personality wearing the Swiss Flag, officials at ST are convinced. “This is a perfect match, because Switzerland and its unblemished nature have clearly contributed to Roger’s unprecedented career” explains ST’s CEO, Martin Nydegger. "I have always felt, whenever I step on the court, I am representing Switzerland. Whenever it says my name, there is a Swiss flag next to it. I have been very proud to do that for the first 22 years I have been on tour, and it will always be like that. To join forces with ST now is a logical step for me” says Roger Federer in a conversation with Nydegger. Both are excited to start this long-term partnership.
Energized by Swiss nature
Communication activities will begin throughout the month of April with a focus on European cities followed by the USA and Asia Pacific. A series of visuals and short clips will showcase Roger Federer being energized by Swiss nature. On MySwitzerland.com, guests will be able to discover Switzerland through Roger’s eyes. He presents his preferred places, Swiss highlights as well as hidden gems. “I have been all over the world. My favourite place has always remained Switzerland. It’s the country I miss the most, when I’m travelling” confesses Federer.
The stage is set
“Switzerland Tourism and Roger Federer share countless values. Establishing this partnership is a unique opportunity and of great importance to us. Making a difference while recovering from the challenges of the past months and beyond will be a journey with numerous highlights," emphasizes Nydegger. Roger Federer is highly motivated to support his home country, and he will do it for a charitable cause. The compensation for his appearances as new ambassador for ST goes to the Roger Federer Foundation supporting disadvantaged children in Switzerland. The stage is set – Switzerland Tourism and Roger are ready to officially become partners.
A day after winning his first match back on the ATP after over a year hiatus, Roger suffered his first loss in his comeback campaign on Thursday against Nikoloz Basilashvili. After the 3-set battle, the Swiss was happy with his frist tournament back since the 2020 Australian Open. Roger had positive things to say, “I would have loved to play tomorrow, don’t get me wrong. But at the same time, I'm also happy to get a rest. I'm happy how I played today. I'm happy how I did yesterday."
“I’m happy I am back on the Tour. I'm pleased I came here to Doha. So it's really, really a positive return for me. I'm really happy.”
Despite the loss, the World No. 6 was happy to get two three-set matches under his belt in Doha.
“I come from so far away that I'm actually happy that I was able to play back-to-back three-set matches against top players. That's an important step forward to me,” Federer said. “I'm actually happy how I felt today on court overall. I felt better against Dan [Evans], physically I would think naturally. But I think Basilashvili plays a totally different game to Dan.
“I think from that standpoint today it was a completely different game, and that's why I also probably struggled a little bit more.”
ZURICH - SWITZERLAND, March 9th, 2021 - Today, the world watches as Roger Federer makes his long-awaited comeback at the 2021 Qatar Open in Doha. All eyes will fall on the Swiss maestro's feet where, for the first time, his craftsmanship on the court will be matched with an equally crafted shoe — THE ROGER Pro, On's debut tennis competition shoe Swiss-engineered by Roger Federer and the On Lab.
Developing a tennis shoe meant adapting On's technologies to meet the demands of the court. Counter to running's forward movement, tennis requires agile side-to-side directional changes at high speeds.
"Tennis players put up to three times their body weight through a shoe during lateral movements," explains Olivier Bernhard, On’s Co-Founder and Innovation Leader.
"These high forces demand extreme agility and stability. That's what we worked with Roger to create."
On's first tennis shoe features a stable midsole of high-performing foam, a midfoot cage for precision of foot placement during rapid-fire rallies, and a rounded sole to support smooth transitions between strokes.
Consistent with all models across the Swiss line, THE ROGER Pro incorporates a plate between the midsole and upper - or Speedboard® - for enhanced energy return. Made from 100% carbon fibre, this explosive feature absorbs impact from landing before returning it for added agility.
"After so many years at the top of world sport, Roger has his sense of what performance should feel like completely dialed in," says Bernhard, a former professional athlete. "He can sense every small adjustment. This insight guided the whole project."
The concept of THE ROGER Pro served as the initial technology inspiration for all models of THE ROGER sneaker franchise, including THE ROGER Centre Court, Clubhouse and Advantage.
THE ROGER Pro is a one-of-a-kind model Swiss-engineered to Roger's requirements and not available for purchase.
Assets available here.
About On?
On was born in the Swiss Alps with one goal: to revolutionize the sensation of running. Eleven years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel, and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, and all day activities. Driven by peer-recommendation, On’s award- winning CloudTec® technology and groundbreaking strides in sportswear’s circular economy has attracted the fastest-growing global fan base in specialty running — inspiring humans to explore through fearless performance, mindful innovation and purposeful design; empowering all to run on clouds. www.on-running.com
18 months ago, Roger Federer joined the founders of the young running brand to shape its future. As a true partner, he is currently helping in overseeing product development, marketing and fan experiences as well as the athlete spirit of On’s high-performing culture.
On’s Cloudtec® sole is patented worldwide. Ten years after market launch, On is available at 7,000 retailers in over 55 countries in Europe, North America, South America and Asia-Pacific.