"So I wouldn’t have to go to my parents, because it’s a lot of money": When Roger Federer developed a 'tactical' method for throwing his racket around

Roger Federer once revealed how his younger self was prone to outbursts and frequently threw his racket around, owing to his self-critical nature. The Swiss also shed light on how his father, Robert, and mother, Lynette, reacted to displays of his volatile attitude.

For much of his illustrious career, Federer was known for being calm, composed, and gracious on the court. However, his younger years told a different story, as the Swiss often vented his frustration by breaking his rackets. His behavior greatly disappointed his parents, who paid 30,000 Swiss francs annually for his tennis training.

In an interview with The Guardian in 2016, Roger Federer disclosed that his outbursts weren't motivated by anger but rather by his sadness and disappointment. However, the Swiss shared that he found a tactical method to prevent his racket from breaking during his outbursts so that the news wouldn't get back to his parents, who spent lots of money on his equipment.

Federer also discussed his tendency to self-flagellate by audibly criticizing himself over his performance. He acknowledged that his conduct disappointed and upset his parents, causing them to walk away from the court.

"I wasn’t the angry type, I was always the sad and disappointed type. But I’d throw the racket tactically, into the nets, so it wouldn’t break and I wouldn’t have to go to my parents, because it’s a lot of money," he said.

"I’d commentate on each shot, saying, how in the world could I miss that, I can’t believe how badly you’re playing, this is just a joke. My parents would get so disappointed in me and upset, they would just walk away," he added.

Roger Federer's desire to let his parents not get wind of his outbursts was understandable as his father Robert and mother Lynette were once so "ashamed" of his behavior during a match that they told him they would no longer attend his tournaments.

Roger Federer: "My attitude was always very temperamental and maybe not the best at times, and my dad would get frustrated"

Roger Federer with his father Robert - Source: Getty

In a promotional clip for Nike in 2016, Roger Federer recalled an incident where his "temperamental" attitude during a training session angered his father Robert to the extent that he left him behind with five Swiss francs.

"I was playing with my dad and my attitude was always very temperamental and maybe not the best at times. And my dad would get frustrated. He said 'I don't enjoy playing with you like that.' So he put five Swiss Francs on the bench next to me and said 'I'm leaving, I'll see you at home,'" he said.

The Swiss confessed that he waited an hour because he was shocked that his father had taken off. He then took a 45-minute bus ride home, marking the beginning of his transformation into a calmer player.

"And I couldn't believe he left me there because it was gonna be like a 45 minute bus ride back home. So I waited for like an hour until he came back and he never showed up. And I realized he had actually left when I checked the car park. In a cute way, that's how it all started," he added.

In the same interview with The Guardian, Roger Federer took pride in his remarkable turnaround. The Swiss admitted that he likely wouldn't have achieved as much success in his career if he had stayed a "little bit cuckoo" on the court.