Posted on 07/08/2021 1:10:32 PM PDT by nickcarraway
ROGER FEDERER hailed the UK's referendum on EU membership as a "beautiful thing" as he made a rare political intervention.
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Roger Federer is preparing for a Wimbledon quarter final against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz as the Swiss star aims for his ninth title at the Championships. At 39 years old, he has impressed with continued quality, even if some doubted he could maintain his levels at that age. Being an all-time Wimbledon great, Federer has become accustomed to British soil over the years.
During 2016's tournament, he arrived in the midst of a Brexit whirlwind as the UK voted to leave the EU.
While Federer isn't usually one to discuss politics, he was more than happy to discuss his thoughts on the UK's referendum at the time.
On the Brexit vote, he said: “Of course, I followed it. It’s a historic day. I don’t even want to think about the negotiations that go into it now. For you guys, it’s going to be years of negotiations. It’s definitely interesting times ahead.”
The diplomatic Federer focused mostly on the beauty of democracy.
He added: “It’s nice to have democracy here, that you have an opportunity to vote.
“It’s a beautiful thing. Many people went out and did that. They took a decision. Now you have to make necessary steps.
"For Switzerland, I don’t know how much impact that’s going to have. I would assume Brussels has a lot of work to do right now.
"Us Swiss guys, we’re going to follow it. We also have had our ups and downs, being in the EU or not. Time will tell.”
Switzerland, as Federer alluded to, has had its own grappling with the EU in recent years.
Federer lost
Yes, he did lose. He lost big time, 6-0 in the final set.
I hope he retires soon. He was a great champion and a class act on and off the court. I hate to see him lose so badly to relative unknowns. If he cannot play at the highest level on his favorite and most successful surface, grass, why continue to play? He will not win another slam.
Father Time is cruel to all athletes. Now is the time to retire with dignity and the aura of still being considered one of the greatest if not the greatest tennis player of all time. Jmho.
Agree 100%. Federer is my all-time favorite ... hard to believe anyone ever displaced McEnroe for me. Tough to watch him play at less than his best.
Wow. So he might be conservative. That would be a refreshing change.
40 yrs old body playing that level is a bitch.
Alot of good players coming up.
Grew up loving McEnroe. Now, can’t get enough Federer (although it is time for him to retire).
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