Will Roger Federer Grace the Commentary Booth? Here’s What We Know

Roger Federer, the maestro of the tennis court, has hung up his racket, leaving a void in the tennis world that feels as vast as his trophy cabinet. Since his emotional farewell at the 2022 Laver Cup, fans have been desperately wondering what’s next for the Swiss icon. While he’s certainly earned a lifetime of leisure, the burning question remains: will we see Federer transition from the court to the commentary booth? The idea alone is enough to make any tennis fan’s heart do a little pitter-patter.

For a while, it seemed like a real possibility. Federer himself admitted to flirting with the idea, which sent the tennis community into a frenzy. Imagine, the man whose gameplay was pure poetry, breaking down matches with the same elegance and insight. It sounded too good to be true. And, well, maybe it was.

The Commentary Tease: A Classic Federer Head-fake?

Shortly after his retirement, Federer sent our hopes soaring. In a candid chat with Swiss journalists, he confessed to a surprising thought crossing his mind. “Why not comment? For example in Wimbledon,” he mused. The man who holds a record eight titles on the hallowed grass of Church Road, lending his voice to the very tournament he once dominated? It felt like destiny. He even joked about his initial reaction: “Are you crazy now that you’re thinking about things like that?” Yes, Roger, we were all thinking it, and we were absolutely here for it.

This wasn’t just some passing fancy. Federer explained his desire to stay connected to the sport, the tournaments, and his colleagues. It made perfect sense. Who better to provide analysis than one of the greatest to ever play the game? He wouldn’t even be the first. Tennis legend and Laver Cup captain John McEnroe famously transitioned to the commentary booth, where he’s been a fixture for nearly three decades, despite swearing he’d never do it. We hoped Federer would follow a similar path, perhaps trading tips with Johnny Mac himself.

Reality Sets In: Family, Freedom, and Four Kids

But just as we started picturing Federer dropping witty analysis during a five-set thriller, he brought us all back down to earth. In a more recent interview, he gently closed the door on the idea—at least for now. “Not at the moment,” he stated, explaining his focus is squarely on his family. “I’m focusing on my kids; it’s time to be interested in what’s important before they leave home.” You can’t really argue with that logic, can you? Being a dad to four kids is probably more demanding than any Grand Slam final.

Federer has always been a family man, promising his wife Mirka that his post-tennis life would be on her terms. He’s now living up to that promise, embracing the chaos of family life and, as he humorously noted, finally getting to go skiing—a frequent request from his kids who were initially sad about no more family trips to Wimbledon.

He also reminded everyone of the blissful position he’s in. “I have the great luxury of not having to do anything I don’t feel like doing,” he said. And right now, it seems like committing to a full-time commentary gig just isn’t something he feels like doing. So, if you’re a TV network with a blank check, the answer is a polite “no.”

So, What’s Next for Federer?

Don’t despair just yet. While a full-time commentary role seems off the table, Federer isn’t disappearing entirely. He did mention a strong desire to play exhibition matches, a “thank you” tour of sorts to honor his former coaches and say a proper goodbye to fans around the world. We’ll take it.

He also left the door slightly ajar for a different kind of involvement. “I am willing to be a mentor to someone with questions; I’ll be happy to share my advice,” he offered. The idea of Federer mentoring the next generation is almost as exciting as him commentating. Imagine getting swing tips from the man with the world’s most beautiful backhand.

For now, it seems we’ll have to be patient. Federer is enjoying a well-deserved break from the relentless grind of the tour, trading his racket for ski poles and his press conferences for parent-teacher conferences. While we may not get his insights from the commentary booth anytime soon, he’s made it clear he’ll always be part of the tennis world. After all, as Stefan Edberg‘s surprise two-year coaching stint with him proved, you should “never say never.”