WATCH: Roger Federer tries ballet with French dancer Leonore Baulac; gushes about the 'beautiful connection' after a day out at Paris Opera

2023 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 11 - Source: Getty
Roger Federer at the 2023 Shanghai Rolex Masters - Day 11 (Source: Getty)

Roger Federer was recently seen trying out ballet alongside French dancer Léonore Baulac and shared his thoughts on the connection between ballet and tennis. The Swiss legend visited the Paris Opera where he joined the Paris Olympic Ballet for a morning session.

He was guided around the opera by Dance Director José Martínez and star dancer Baulac, with whom he exchanged ballet and tennis tips.

On Wednesday, Federer’s sponsor Uniqlo posted a video showcasing his experience at the venue. After participating in a ballet session with Baulac, Federer discussed the similarities between ballet and tennis. He was surprised when Baulac instructed him to lift her, expressing his amazement at how easy it was due to her strength.

“I really felt the mirror between ballet and tennis, [the] movements we were doing, super good. Was really interesting, and when she said, okay, now you're going to pick me up. I hold you? (laughs) I mean, I lift up my children you know, but, I don't know. It was surprisingly doable because she was so strong,” he said (2:30).

Federer went on to discuss the connection he felt from dancing ballet, describing it as beautiful.

“The connection with somebody else in dance, I could feel it even in that short little moment which I thought was actually really beautiful. This place oozes history, getting a behind the scenes look and getting a feel of how the ballet world operates was very special.”

A brief look at Roger Federer's performance at the French Open and the Paris Masters

Roger Federer at the Rolex Paris Masters 2018 Tennis Tournament - Day 6 (Source: Getty)
Roger Federer at the Rolex Paris Masters 2018 Tennis Tournament - Day 6 (Source: Getty)

Roger Federer is no stranger to Paris, having competed in the French Open 19 times and the Paris Masters 13 times. Without further ado, let's take a look at how the Swiss legend performed in the French capital during his active years.

Despite winning a total of 20 Grand Slam singles titles, the French Open is the only Grand Slam that the Swiss won only once, which was in 2009. He has claimed the Australian Open six times, Wimbledon eight times, and the US Open five times.

In his sole French Open victory in 2009, Federer defeated Alberto Martin, José Acasuso, Paul-Henri Mathieu, Thomas Haas, Gael Monfils, and Juan Martín del Potro before beating Sweden’s Robin Söderling in the final 6–1, 7–6(7–1), 6–4 to complete the career Grand Slam.

At the Paris Masters, his only triumph came in 2011 when he defeated Adrian Mannarino and Richard Gasquet in the second and third rounds. In the quarterfinals, he outclassed Juan Mónaco to set up a semifinal clash with Tomáš Berdych whom he also defeated. In the final, he overcame home favorite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to lift the title.

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Edited by Prathik BR
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