Childhood and Education Journey of Roger Federer in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Roger Federer, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Roger Federer is a retired Swiss professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. He held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 310 weeks, including 237 consecutive weeks, and finished the year as No. 1 five times. He won 103 ATP singles titles, the second-most in the Open Era, along with 20 Grand Slam men's singles titles and six ATP Finals titles, solidifying his legacy in the sport.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

August 1981: Roger Federer's Birth

In August 1981, Roger Federer was born in Basel, Switzerland.

1992: Ball Boy at Swiss Indoors

In 1992, Federer worked as a ball boy at his hometown Basel event, the Swiss Indoors.

1995: Swiss National Tennis Center

In 1995, Roger Federer trained at the Swiss National Tennis Center.

July 1997: Completion of Compulsory Education

In July 1997, Roger Federer completed his compulsory education at La Planta secondary school in Chavannes-près-Renens.

1999: Discharge from military

In 1999, the then-18-year-old Roger Federer was discharged from compulsory military service due to a chronic back problem.

1999: Drafted into Swiss Armed Forces

In 1999, upon turning 18, Roger Federer was drafted into compulsory military service in the Swiss Armed Forces. However, he was soon discharged due to a chronic back problem.

2000: Met Miroslava Federer at Sydney Olympics

Roger Federer met his future wife, Miroslava Federer (née Vavrinec), while they were both competing for Switzerland at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

August 2002: Death of Peter Carter

On 1 August 2002, Federer suffered the devastating loss of his long-time Australian coach and mentor, Peter Carter, in a car crash in South Africa.

2002: Mirka's retirement

In 2002, Miroslava Federer retired from the tour because of a foot injury.

2002: First Masters Title and Loss of Coach

In 2002, Roger Federer won his first Masters title in Hamburg and suffered the loss of his coach Peter Carter.

2003: Exempted from Military Service

In 2003, Roger Federer was ruled "unsuitable" and was subsequently exempted from his military service obligation. Instead, he served in the civil protection force and was required to pay 3% of his taxable income.

May 2004: Supporting IMBEWU

From May 2004, Roger Federer began supporting the South Africa-Swiss charity IMBEWU, which helps children better connect to sports as well as social and health awareness.

2004: Rally for Relief

In 2005, at the Pacific Life Open, Roger Federer arranged an exhibition with several top players from the ATP and WTA tour called Rally for Relief, whose proceeds went to the victims of the tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

2005: Auctioned Racquet for Hurricane Katrina Relief

In 2005, Roger Federer auctioned his racquet from his US Open championship to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina.

2005: Visit to South Africa

In 2005, Roger Federer visited South Africa to meet children who had benefited from his support of the IMBEWU charity.

April 2006: Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

In April 2006, Roger Federer was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador by UNICEF and has appeared in public service announcements to raise awareness of AIDS.

December 2006: Visit to Tamil Nadu

In December 2006, Roger Federer visited Tamil Nadu, India, one of the areas most affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

2006: Met Pope Benedict XVI

In 2006, Roger Federer met Pope Benedict XVI while playing the Italian Open tournament in Rome.

December 2007: Possible onset of Mononucleosis

In March 2008, Roger Federer revealed that he had recently been diagnosed with mononucleosis and that he may have suffered from it as early as December 2007.

March 2008: Diagnosis of Mononucleosis

In March 2008, Roger Federer revealed that he had recently been diagnosed with mononucleosis.

April 2009: Marriage to Miroslava Federer

On April 11, 2009, Roger Federer married former Women's Tennis Association player Miroslava Federer (née Vavrinec) at Wenkenhof Villa in Riehen near Basel.

2010: 'Hit for Haiti' Charity Event

In 2010, in response to the Haiti earthquake, Roger Federer arranged a collaboration with fellow top tennis players for a special charity event during the 2010 Australian Open called 'Hit for Haiti', whose proceeds went to Haiti earthquake victims. He also participated in a follow-up charity exhibition during the 2010 Indian Wells Masters, which raised $1 million.

2010: Match for Africa in Zurich and Madrid

In 2010, the Nadal vs. Federer "Match for Africa" in Zürich and Madrid raised more than $4 million for the Roger Federer Foundation and Fundación Rafa Nadal.

January 2011: Rally for Relief

In January 2011, Roger Federer took part in Rally for Relief, an exhibition to raise money for the victims of the Queensland floods.

2014: Birth of twin boys

In 2014, Roger Federer and his wife had another pair of twins, this time fraternal twin boys.

2014: Match for Africa 2 in Zurich

In 2014, the "Match for Africa 2" between Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka, again in Zürich, raised £850,000 for education projects in Southern Africa.

2018: Match for Africa in San Jose

In the 2018 "Match for Africa" in San Jose, California, Roger Federer paired up with Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates in a doubles clash against Jack Sock and NBC Today show host Savannah Guthrie. He and Gates won, and notably, Federer even won one point on his knees after returning two shots while on the ground.

2020: Second Knee Surgery

In 2020, Roger Federer underwent the second of three procedures on his knees, on his left knee.

May 2022: Visit to Swiss National Team

In May 2022, Roger Federer made a surprise visit to meet every member of the Swiss national team and to unveil Puma’s new jersey for the team ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

September 2022: Retirement from Professional Tennis

In September 2022, Roger Federer officially retired from professional tennis following the Laver Cup.

2022: Third Knee Surgery

In 2022, Roger Federer underwent the third procedure on his knees, this time on his right knee.

June 9, 2024: Receives Doctorate from Dartmouth

On June 9, 2024, Roger Federer received an honorary Doctorate degree in Humane Letters from Dartmouth College, following his commencement address to the Class of 2024.