My dad has the biggest influence on my interest in sports. Ever since a young age, he used to expose me and my brother to all different kinds of sports. He loves and follows all different kinds of sports.
The earliest memory I have is him introducing us to football. I immediately became a fan of the sport and started supporting Manchester United just like him. But it didn’t stop with football. The other sport I remember as a kid was formula one. My dad was a huge fan of Michael Schumacher. We used to watch some races together. The other sport I got exposed to as a kid was tennis. My dad was a big admirer of Pete Sampras. But then there was a new kid in the block. It was Roger Federer. From his first championship in 2003, my dad became a big fan of his. He could see how this guy would one day eclipse his previous favorite, Sampras.
Almost two decades from that first win, Federer played his last game yesterday. I haven’t spoken with my dad about it yet. But I am pretty sure he is sad to see his favorite retire. Although he wasn’t in the best of forms in the past few years, he gave the sport a lot. The rivalry he had with Nadal is something no sport had seen before. You could see it during the last game how both meant so much to each other.
He wasn’t just a great tennis player, he was one of the greatest sportsmen. A true role model for many youngsters. The way he conducted himself on and off the court. The way he dealt with his rivalry with Nadal. He was a true gentleman. Lot to learn from him whether you love tennis or not.