A MAN AND HIS MOUNTAINS

Tennis icon, philanthropist, face of a country—Roger Federer is a man who truly does it all

- By Coco Marett. Photography by Issac Lam

At Tatler, we have the pleasure of meeting some truly remarkable people whose excellence shines through, even if that meeting takes place in the less than remarkable setting of a hotel conference room, for example.

But when we're able to meet these people on their home turf, in their element, there's an added touch of magic.

We meet Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer in one of the most breathtaking settings imaginable—Emmetten, a picturesque mountain village in the Swiss canton of Nidwalden, on a sunny terrace overlooking the crystal waters of Lake Lucerne. He's cool, calm and confident as though welcoming us to his home. Which, in some ways, he is. “Some of my fondest childhood memories are of hiking with my family through Switzerland's incredible landscapes,” says Federer, adding that those early family hikes—whether up the winding trails in Graubünden or through the charming villages of the Bernese Oberland—shaped his love for the outdoors. “There’s something special about discovering a mountain path together, stopping for a picnic with a view and listening to the sounds of nature all around. I still enjoy doing this with my family today.”

The proud Swiss native became an ambassador for Switzerland Tourism in March 2021. Since then, he's been showing off and sharing his love of the country’s natural wonders to travellers around the world, enticing them to come and experience the culture and landscapes that shaped who he is today. “The mountains, the lakes, the fresh air—they always bring me back to that feeling of home,” he says. “There's a sense of calm and clarity in the Swiss outdoors that I really appreciate, especially after spending so much time on the road.”