The day Roger Federer couldn’t stop laughing at CNN correspondent’s Spanish phrases is as close to a perfect day for the Swiss as one can imagine. Federer, who won every Grand Slam title and was the 2004 Wimbledon champion, was on the verge of missing a French Open that he had won in 2005.
Then, the most overused word in sports and politics.
The day Federer couldn’t stop laughing at CNN correspondent’s Spanish phrases is as close to a perfect day for the Swiss as one can imagine. Federer, who won every Grand Slam title and was the 2004 Wimbledon champion, was on the verge of missing a French Open that he had won in 2005.
All the way through the French quarterfinals at Roland Garros this year the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who had been ranked No. 1 in the world for 25 straight months, was engaged in a rare interview with the Spanish broadcaster, not quite aware he was supposed to be doing some verbal sparring.
“I know he’s a little bit irritated he didn’t make the finals in Stuttgart, but I am really looking forward to that match,” the 35-year-old said. “It was very hard in Stuttgart, and I am really looking forward to it.”
Federer then went on to give a few snarky, if slightly inappropriate, answers to a question that a viewer might be inclined to ask: “Did you make a little bet with yourself that you could play in front of 30,000 people and make it to the finals?”
“No,” the Swiss star replied. “I know exactly what you mean. I’ve been there before.”
“I have, because in my mind, I made a bet to myself,” he said. “I’m not going to let down.”
A year ago, Federer would have had no idea he would be in the situation he is now.
It all started that day when he was talking with reporters outside the locker room at the St. Jakob-Park Stadium in
