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Roger Federer wife: The fairytale love story behind Mirka Federer and Roger revealed
Tennis player Roger Federer married the love of his life, Mirka in 2009. The Swiss tennis legend is one of the most famous names and faces in the world for his skill, but he has also melted the hearts of tennis fans around the world with his undeniable adoration for his wife. As if the couple weren’t picture perfect enough, the couple have four children – two sets of adorable twins. But how did these sweethearts meet and how did their relationship get to the point of ultimate #couplegoals?
Mirka Federer, nee Vavrinec, is a former tennis player who managed to rise to a career-high ranking of 76 in 2001, just after she had met Roger.
She was born in Slovakia, but her family emigrated to Switzerland when she was two-years-old.
When she was nine, her father took her to a tennis tournament in Germany and she met Martina Navratilova who thought she looked athletic and should try tennis.
Navratilova later sent her a racquet and arranged for her first tennis lesson.
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Roger Federer wife: Roger Federer and his family
Roger Federer wife: A truly wonderful love story between two tennis players (Image: GETTY)
Roger Federer wife: Roger and wife Mirka
Roger Federer wife: The adorable couple celebrate Roger Federer’s win by holding each other’s hands (Image: JAMES D. MORGAN/GETTY)
Although, Mirka Federer was once a top-100 tennis player she retired from the game in 2002 after failing to recover from a persistent foot injury.
Since her retirement, Mirka became Federer’s public relations manager and handled much of his media affairs.
Mirka has been in the crowd for all of Federer’s greatest moments, although in recent years she has been forced to miss the occasional match due to pregnancy or looking after their children.
Federer, 37, spends much of his time away from the family home in his native Switzerland.
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Roger Federer wife: Roger with wife Mirka
Roger Federer wife: Tennis superstar Roger Federer and wife Mirka attend Pippa Middleton’s wedding (Image: GETTY)
Roger Federer wife: Roger and wife Mirka
Roger Federer wife: Roger celebrating with wife Mirka after winning the Hopman Cup final (Image: GETTY)
However, he takes his family with him insisting his four children and his wife are his top priority.
Speaking to the Sunday Times earlier this year, the sports star said changing “a ton of nappies” between matches was worth it to live his “dream” with Mirka, 40.
But he also revealed an interesting fact about his family life – that he will not sleep without wife Mirka beside him.
Roger Federer gets emotional when he sees his wife and kids
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is an avid follower of football and when he is not spending time on the court he is often seen attending matches.
In May 2022, for example, the Serbian was found in the presidential box at the Santiago Bernabeu during the UEFA Champions League semi-final clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City.
He was in the Spanish capital to take part in the Madrid Open, and he did not miss the opportunity to catch the home team in action. But is he a Madridista at heart, or does he support some other club? GOAL takes a look…
Which football teams does Novak Djokovic support?
It is pretty difficult to say that Novak Djokovic is a fan of one particular club. He has often been seen sporting an AC Milan jersey but on occasion, he has also expressed his affection for Manchester United.
In 2014, some of the Milan players attended Djokovic’s match at the Shanghai Masters and the Serb thanked the players on social media.
He is also quoted saying, “I’m a big fan of Milan and I’ll always be. For me, football is second only [to] tennis. My father was a professional footballer and at home we always watch the Rossoneri’s games with great interest.”
In February 2022, he revealed that he is in regular touch with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and wanted Milan to win the Scudetto.
“I am friends with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. We often talked about my situation in Australia. He also supported me publicly, which I really appreciate. I’m a Milan fan and we hope to win the Scudetto this year,” he stated.
However, there was one instance during Roland Garros, when he was asked to choose between Manchester United and Barcelona, he had no qualms about picking the Premier League side.
In 2008, he took part in a charity match called ‘Iker vs Rafa’, at the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid to help fight against Malaria.
Four years later, he came back to Madrid for another fundraiser game called ‘Alma Nadal’, and the presentation was attended by then-coach Jose Mourinho, players like Raul, Alvaro Morata, and even president Florentino Perez. He was even handed over a Real Madrid jersey by Perez.
However, there is another incident that might portray him as a Benfica fan. In 2007, when he was in Portugal to take part in the Estoril Open, he was found sitting in the presidential box of Benfica. The club gifted him an official team shirt with his name and favourite number (4) on the back. He even got it signed by Eusebio after winning the championship.
So to sum up we can safely conclude that although Djokovic supports Milan, he is above all a football fan. During the 2018 World Cup, he showed his support for Croatia and faced heavy backlash from his fellow Serbs. However, he defended his stand and said, “Sports have their ‘universal language,’ they erase boundaries between people, overcome differences in religion, race, and nationality.”
However, there is another incident that might portray him as a Benfica fan. In 2007, when he was in Portugal to take part in the Estoril Open, he was found sitting in the presidential box of Benfica. The club gifted him an official team shirt with his name and favourite number (4) on the back. He even got it signed by Eusebio after winning the championship.
So to sum up we can safely conclude that although Djokovic supports Milan, he is above all a football fan. During the 2018 World Cup, he showed his support for Croatia and faced heavy backlash from his fellow Serbs. However, he defended his stand and said, “Sports have their ‘universal language,’ they erase boundaries between people, overcome differences in religion, race, and nationality.”
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‘Don’t see the logic. Maybe there’s political logic…’: Djokovic’s verdict on rules preventing him from playing US Open
The 35-year-old finally weighed in on the rules preventing him from playing the final Grand Slam tournament of the year.
2022 has gone as planed for Novak Djokovic. Heading into the year, the Serb had won three of the last four majors, which put him on verge of Calendar Grand Slam in 2021 before losing to Daniil Medvedev in 2021 US Open. However, in 2022, Djokovic is yet to win a Slam and the ongoing Wimbledon tournament is only his second Grand Slam appearance this year and probably his last. The unvaccinated tennis star wasn’t allowed to play the Australian Open earlier this year and has now been prevented from playing the 2022 US Open. And the 35-year-old finally weighed in on the rules preventing him from playing the final Grand Slam tournament of the year.
While he received an exemption from Tennis Australia, Djokovic was deported from Australia for being unvaccinated. The US government has however made it clear that unvaccinated non-nationals will not be allowed to enter the country nor will such players be handed exemptions.
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Speaking on the rule, Djokovic opined that it was unfair as he pointed out that fellow tennis player Tennys Sandgren, who is a US citizen, is yet to be vaccinated, and will be allowed to play at the 2022 US Open.
“No unvaccinated people can enter the USA as of this moment,” said the 35-year-old. “I did hear unofficially that some people got away with it, some people who are not ‘famous’, but I would never even try to go to the USA if it is not allowed. Some people think that I made that mistake in Australia, but it was the contrary in fact – I had the exemption etc, let’s not go over the same story again. Bottom line is: if I am told that I cannot go, I won’t go, I would never put myself in such a position. Even if I get in, they would see me on TV playing tennis and pick me up!
“On a more serious note, I have been texting with Tennys Sandgren a few days ago. I wanted to thank him for the public support he has given me in this situation. What he said makes total sense – if unvaccinated players are not allowed to compete at the US Open, then it should be the case for everyone. I don’t see the medical logic behind it, that Tennys can play because he is a citizen of the USA, and I cannot. If I had a US passport or a green card, I would be able to play. Maybe there is a political logic behind it – not medical – but I would rather not get into that and you can understand why.”
Djokovic however did not bother much about his non-participation in the US Open and instead seems to be looking ahead at the other tournaments that he is slated to play.
“Grand Slams are tournaments that are my priority at this stage of my career and of course I want to play in New York,” he added. “On the other hand, if I do not get a chance to do so, it is not the end of the world, we will look ahead. But right now, I am completely focused on Wimbledon.”
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has addressed comments made by three-time champion Nelson Piquet that surfaced ahead of the 2022 British Grand Prix, and said he was “incredibly grateful” for support from the F1 community – as other drivers including Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel weighed in with words of support on Thursday at Silverstone.
The comments made by Piquet after last year’s controversial British Grand Prix surfaced ahead of this year’s race at Silverstone, with the Brazilian’s words coming under heavy criticism for using an alleged racial slur. On Thursday, Hamilton gave his reaction in person during the drivers’ press conference.
“Well firstly, I’m incredibly grateful to all those that have been supportive within the sport, particularly the drivers,” said the Mercedes racer. “You know, it’s been two years since many of us took the knee at the first race in Austria and, of course, we’re still faced with the challenges.
“I’ve been on the receiving end of racism and criticism and negativity and archaic narratives for a long, long time, and undertones of discrimination. So, there’s nothing particularly new to me. I think it’s more about the bigger picture… it’s not just about one individual, it’s not just about one use of that term – it’s the bigger picture.”
Piquet released a statement on Wednesday in which he apologised to Hamilton, while calling his comments “ill-thought-out”, and adding that he “never intended to offend” – as Hamilton also took to social media to criticise “archaic mindsets”. Other drivers were asked for their reactions on Thursday.
Reigning champion Verstappen said: “In general, all over the world, it’s not only in Formula 1, I think it’s not correct to use these words, but that already starts with education. Nowadays from a younger age, at home, at school, you need to be taught these kinds of things cannot be said, or used in general, and that’s what we’re working on. And of course F1, together also with Lewis, they’re working on that for the future and all the drivers are behind that. We’re all supporting that.”
Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel said: “It is probably what [Lewis] has been through and his family has been through his entire life. Any form of abuse is wrong, so I think it was great to see that there was so much response from all of the F1 community and so quickly people responded and expressed support towards Lewis.
“We have the campaign ‘We Race As One’; it’s very clear where we’re going and where we want to go in the future… Any community is welcome and we should always respond in that way very quickly and make it clear that we are open to anyone, because kindness matters, people matter, and like I said, it was bad to see what was going on.”
McLaren’s Lando Norris agreed, echoing Vettel’s comments and adding: “Although we are Formula 1 drivers and that’s what we love and want to do the most, we still want to make things better in the world and we want to create changes and always good ones, and it highlights that we still need to continue to do this. And although we work on different areas and different things – climate change or whatever – there’s the more simple and obvious [issues] that need to have our continued support and continued voices to speak openly about it.”
Alpine’s two-time champion Fernando Alonso – Hamilton’s former team mate at McLaren – added: “Definitely, there is no room for this type of comments and I think the reaction from the whole community was quite big. If it’s needed to take action, I think we will rely on support – what the FIA and FOM are doing.
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“The most important thing from us drivers is to show the support to Lewis and we stand with him.”
Hamilton and Mercedes’ ‘Ignite’ foundation announced their first two charitable grants on Thursday, the foundation set to collaborate with Motorsport UK and FIA Girls on Track UK to increase female representation within motorsport.
‘Ignite’ will also support the Royal Academy of Engineering, establishing a motorsport scholarship programme for at least 10 black students – while a limited Toto Wolff-edition IWC Schaffhausen watch is set to be auctioned by Bonhams, with all proceeds going to the charity.
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BREAKING NEWS: Lewis Hamilton backs down in F1 jewellery row as Mercedes star TAKES OUT his nose stud for first practice at British Grand Prix after he was threatened with a BAN if he kept it in
Lewis Hamilton has removed his nose stud for first practice at the British Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion effectively backed down in his stand-off with the FIA to avoid a fine or suspension ahead of his home race at Silverstone.
An FIA spokesman said: ‘The stud has gone.’
This relaxed approach changed under new president Mohammed ben Sulayem. He granted extra time for Hamilton to take out his stud, which the seven-time world driver said required surgical removal.
The exemption expired on June 30 – whipping up the prospect of controversy surrounding the issue in front of 140,000 fans this weekend. Hamilton has now take the heat out of it with his climbdown.
Sportsmail understand talks between Hamilton and Ben Sulayem are pencilled in for next week as the two look to smooth over the issue.
Though the grace period regarding jewellery expired today, Hamilton retained his contentious nose stud as he arrived into the paddock on Friday morning.
The FIA are not backing down, as Ben Sulayem is keen to stick to his insistence that the previously unenforced jewellery rule is an important safety issue.
If Ben Sulayem was not talked into a compromise position, Hamilton could either be have been fined or, in extremis, prevented from racing.
When asked about the threat of being banned going into the weekend, Hamilton said he had ‘bigger fish to fry’.
He said during Thursday’s press-conference: ‘It’s worrying – we’ve got bigger fish to fry. We’ve really got to start focusing on more important areas.
‘I will be racing this weekend. I’m working with the FIA. The matter is not massively important, I’ll work with Mohammed and his team to take the next steps forward.’
While the prohibition of body piercings has been in place since 2004, F1’s new race director Niels Wittich brought the rule to the fore in his pre-race notes before the Australian Grand Prix.
He then addressed the subject directly with Hamilton and his peers in a two-hours drivers’ briefing.
Wittich says the law is there to protect the driver by not hindering a speedy escape from their car.
In a show of defiance, Hamilton has continued racing with a nose stud, and at the Monaco Grand Prix, he was given permission to wear it until this weekend’s race.
Back in May, the 37-year-old said regarding the issue: ‘When they [the FIA] told me about the jewellery, they were saying safety is everything,’ the seven-time world champion said earlier this month.
‘I said, ‘Well, what’s happened for the last 16 years? I’ve had jewellery on for 16 years. So was safety not an issue back then?’
‘I feel like it’s almost like a step backwards, if you think about the steps we are taking as a sport, and the more important causes that we need to be focused on.’
Despite taking a lenient view of jewellery in racing in the past, the FIA has enforced its International Sporting Code more strictly so far this season, clamping down on the wearing of piercings and chains.
The rule prohibiting the wearing of jewellery is Article 5 of the third chapter of Appendix L of the governing body’s International Sporting Code (ISC).
The FIA clause states that ‘the wearing of jewellery in the form of body piercing or metal neck chains is prohibited during the competition and may therefore be checked before the start.’
It has been an unusual hot topic during the 2022 season due to the FIA’s strict approach and Hamilton’s refusal to cave in.
The topic of jewellery has been a hot point of discussion throughout the 2022 season and it even led to Hamilton joking with bitter title rival of last year Verstappen regarding the subject
When it first cropped up in Melbourne, Hamilton was in a press conference with last year’s title rival Max Verstappen.
When asked in the press conference how it would affect him, he said: ‘Well, I’ve got certain piercings that I really just can’t take out that not many people know of. No. I’m kidding, I’m kidding.
‘OK, I mean, it’s been the rule forever. Since I’ve been here, it’s been the rule, so there’s nothing new. I’m just going to come up with more jewellery next week.’
When reigning world champion Verstappen was asked for his thoughts on the subject, he replied: ‘Me? I will be too heavy if I wear jewellery. So it’s not possible.
‘I know you have a nipple-piercing man. Come on!’ quipped Lewis.
Verstappen made light of Hamilton’s comment as he asked: ‘You want to see it again?’
There has been uncertainty about which items are deemed safe and unsafe in cars, including wedding rings.
Haas driver Kevin Magnussen said on the weekend of the Monaco GP: ‘I’ll take a little bit of extra burn on my finger to race in my wedding ring. And if something was going to happen, something bad, I would want to wear my wedding ring. It kind of feels bad to take it off.
‘With something like that, like your wedding ring, let us take that responsibility. There must be somehow to remove liability.’
Fans will be happy to see Hamilton behind the wheel at his home race and hope he will be able to mount a challenge against Red Bull and Ferrari.
He arrives into the weekend 98 points behind Max Verstappen and appears to be out of the title fight.
Though there is hope Mercedes could threaten the two leading teams and give Hamilton and his team-mate George Russell a shot of glory at Silverstone.
It’s not always easy for the U.S. Open star and Reddit co-founder.
Which football team does Novak Djokovic support – Man Utd, Real Madrid or AC Milan?
‘Don’t see the logic. Maybe there’s political logic…’: Djokovic’s verdict on rules preventing him from playing US Open
