Roger Federer Retires From Tennis, Documentary Captures Final Days

Roger Federer's retirement from tennis was an emotional experience, with documentary filmmakers Asif Kapadia and Joe Sabia capturing his final days as a professional tennis player.

What happened during Roger Federer's final days?

The documentary, Federer: Twelve Final Days, follows Roger Federer in the last days of his career, culminating in a Lavers Cup doubles match beside his longtime rival Rafael Nadal in September 2022.
Kapadia and Sabia spent time with Roger Federer, charting his journey from his retirement announcement to his last moments on court.
The experience was emotional for both Roger Federer and the filmmakers, with Kapadia describing it as "witnessing him dying, one of his lives is dying".

Why it matters for Roger Federer

Roger Federer's retirement marks the end of an era, with Kapadia noting that "all of his rivals, you can see in their eyes them knowing 'it's gonna be me soon'".
The documentary provides a unique insight into Roger Federer's final days as a professional tennis player, showcasing his emotions and struggles.
Sabia met Roger Federer when he did an interview with Vogue, and later had the opportunity to work with him again on the documentary.

What comes next for Roger Federer?

The documentary explores what comes next for Roger Federer, with Kapadia and Sabia impressed by his gentlemanly conduct throughout the twelve days they spent together.
Roger Federer had a lot on his mind during his retirement, including 40 interviews in two-hour blocks, speaking four different languages, and worrying about his knee.
The documentary is a powerful exploration of Roger Federer's final days as a professional tennis player, and what comes next for the tennis legend.
As Kapadia explains, "you know the sportspeople die twice line, and [it's] the idea that we're witnessing him dying, one of his lives is dying, and he's not sure what [he's] gonna do now, what comes next, is quite powerful".
The experience was also emotional for Sabia, who felt like he was "just going along on the ride with him and his family".