"Nicest boss I've ever had because he is empathetic" - Roger Federer Foundation CEO lavishes praise on Swiss great, opens up about working with him

Along with doing some important work for a great cause at the Roger Federer Foundation, the organization's CEO, Janine Handel, also has the pleasure of working with "the nicest boss ever." Handel recently opened up about working for the Swiss tennis legend, revealing that he is empathetic and always open to advice from others.

Handel is in charge of the foundation's work globally. They currently run early education projects in six African nations, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Malawi. With such important projects that require devoted focus and attention, the foundation's head has a lot on her plate.

However, it seems as if a major part of her stress is relieved by working with a kind boss like Federer.

"Without wanting to insult previous bosses - he is the nicest boss I've ever had," Janine Handel told Swiss publication FUW. "Because he is an empathetic boss. Otherwise I would have been gone a long time ago."

She further suggested that the 20-time Grand Slam champion carries no air of being a superstar celebrity. He is always open to hearing different views and learning from others.

"I can only advise Roger Federer well if I don't see the star. Roger is open to advice, eager to learn and ambitious," Handel expressed.

Apart from the financial support given by Federer to his foundation, his popularity across the world also plays a huge role in helping the foundation appeal to a wide range of audiences. Handel shed light on the same, saying that Federer fans from many other countries, led by India and the USA, have also shown great interest in the the Zurich-based organization's work.

"90% of our followers click on our website in English. Most users are not from Switzerland," Handel shared.

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"We want to encourage the local population to develop independently" - CEO highlights main goal of Roger Federer Foundation

The Swiss tennis legend visits Ethiopia in 2010 as part of his foundation's work.

Janine Handel also shed light on the main goal of the Roger Federer Foundation. As opposed to most other foundations, which typically stay involved in projects for the longest time, the Swiss maestro's foundation helps young kids in highly under-developed regions with the initial part of their development, through early education, allowing them to develop independently going forward once the base has been set.

"We're not a hand-out foundation that gives away goods," the CEO conveyed. "Our goal is to launch processes and then withdraw again after a certain period of time. This is probably the most promising type of sustainable development work."

"We want to encourage the local population to develop independently," she added.

The eigh-time Wimbledon champion also has an understanding with his sponsors that a specific monetary part of his endorsement deal with each of them will go towards his foundation and help the organization in further spreading its work.

The proceeds from the famous 'Match for Africa' exhibition series launched by the foundation, which has seen the likes of Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka join Federer for exhibition matches over the years, have also gone towards the work of the foundation.