Roger Federer honoured at Swiss Sports Awards

James Richardson 14 Dec 2022 8:43 PM

He might be possibly the biggest star tennis has ever seen but it is easy to forget that Roger Federer has his roots in the tiny nation of Switzerland.

It was at home that he was recently honoured at the Swiss Sports awards as his retirement from the sport was recognised.

Throughout his illustrious 24-year career, the ATP Tour legend enthralled sold-out crowds in stadiums all over the world, but the recently retired star was no less adored in his native Switzerland.

At the 2022 Swiss Sports Awards on Sunday, Federer received an honorary award in recognition of his achievements.

The unique award was given for the first time since 2009 and now for only the sixth time in the illustrious event’s history it has been handed out again, a testament to the influence the 103-time tour-level champion made with his prowess on the court.

“I couldn’t have been as successful as I have been throughout my career without all the help I have received over the years from my incredible fans, parents, wife and team,” wrote Federer via Instagram. “Thank you for the honorary Swiss Sports award.”

An incredible 310 weeks at No 1 in the ATP Rankings, including a record 237 consecutive weeks from 2 February 2004 to 18 August 2008, and 20 Grand Slam titles are among Federer’s accomplishment’s over the course of a glittering career.

In September, he competed in his final professional match at the Laver Cup, representing Team Europe in a doubles match alongside longtime adversary and friend Rafael Nadal. The match took place on an emotional night in London.

Seven times between 2003 and 2017, Federer was named Swiss Sportsperson of the Year. In 2020, he was crowned the best sportsperson in the 70-year history of the Swiss Sports Awards. The event’s website referred to him as “The perfect sporting icon” after his retirement.

“One should be careful with superlatives,” continued the written tribute to Federer. “With this, however, you are guaranteed not to go wrong: Roger Federer is the best athlete that Switzerland has ever had.”

It is hard to argue with that assesment and Federer has undoutedly done a lot of good for both the sport of tennis and also for Switzerland.

Injuries ultimately cut short the career of the great man, but he hardly has to feel like he has left anything out on the court at all.