Good karma…great things happen to great people….
ROGER FEDERER
Every year, at the Australian Open, behind Roger Federer’s coach (earlier Edberg and now Ljubicic), sits an elderly couple.

There is a story to this couple, and it shows what a human being Federer is.

Roger Federer of Switzerland gives the trophy to his coach Ivan Ljubicic after winning against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the end of their Men’s Singles Final match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 29 January 2017. EPA/JULIAN SMITH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

The couple, as Federer’s die-hard fans would know, are Bob and Diana Carter, the parents of the tennis great’s first international coach, the Australian Peter Carter.

Federer was just nine when Carter took him under his wing. In 2002, in a terrible tragedy, Carter died in a car accident in South Africa during a vacation with his wife.

The story goes that Federer (then 21) was so affected by his coach’s death, he ran through the streets of Toronto (where he was playing that day), bawling his heart out.

Carter had recognised Federer’s genius at a young age, and was determined to make him an all-time great. For over a decade, Carter was at it before he died at the age of 37. He was not Federer’s first coach, but the one who took him from relative obscurity in Basel in Switzerland to the threshold of international greatness.

So, coming back to Bob and Diana Carter.

Federer feels so close and so indebted to them that, every year, since 2005, his team sends an all-expense paid itinerary to the Adelaide-based couple – first-class air tickets, bookings in the same hotel as Federer, food, winner’s parties and even commiseration parties in Melbourne. And they sit in Federer’s box at the Rod Laver Arena, supporting him as if he Is their son.

They see their Peter in him. And Federer never forgets the Carter family’s role in his life and career.

Furthermore…..

I met Roger once in line at security at Wimbledon a few years ago….
I introduced myself as I turned around and he said “but of course!”
His mom is South African born and I have communicated with her before.
I had a young student in my academy who was diagnosed with cancer which required the amputation of his leg due to the cancer.
It was devastating for him his family and all of us at the academy were saddened and shocked….
I wrote to Roger and within ten days the family had received a package with all sorts of RF goodies, and photos with words of encouragement….
Life is so much better with honest, caring people…..
Roger Federer is an athlete that has and continues to transcend wayyy beyond the borders of his tennis personna. He is a real compassionate and caring guy. The lofty position of #1 rankings, the myriad of titles and all the “stuff’ that comes with his “world” can easily scew the views of such uber successful people but somehow he has kept his life ( at least from my vantage point) simple. He truly loves tennis, his family, his kids, his fans etc. Give credit where credit is due….he is amazing.

We should all thank Roger for what he has done for tennis the past 20 years because he is a true ambassador of the sport and continues to amaze and electrify fans all over the world.
From me, thank you Roger !

( This story is posted with permission from Johan Kriek )