For millions of Roger Federer fans, the inevitable occurred on September 15, 2022, when the tennis legend read out an emotional note that confirmed his retirement from the sport. “Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamt, and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career,” he said. With those words, Federer drew the curtains on a 24-year glorious career that saw him win 20 Grand Slam titles and participate in over 1500 matches.
In the documentary “Federer: Twelve Final Days,” filmmakers Asif Kapadia and Joe Sabia offer a close-up view of the 12 days leading up to Federer’s final competitive match. This historic occasion saw the Swiss maestro playing doubles with arch-rival and close friend Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup hosted at London’s O2 Arena. It’s a bold attempt to delve into the mindset of a sporting legend preparing to grace the court one last time.
However, the documentary’s outcome is somewhat rudimentary and falls short of the anticipation that should surround Federer’s last bow. The film captures Federer mostly trying to keep his emotions in check, with only a few light-hearted and nervous moments revealing his fear of retirement and giving a glimpse into his state of mind.
The initial portions of the documentary focus predominantly on the multiple knee surgeries that plagued Federer in the final chapters of his career. Unfortunately, that’s about as deep as it gets. Given that we’re looking into the life and career of one of tennis’s all-time greats, and that Kapadia, a seasoned documentarian, led the project, we anticipate greater depth and richer storytelling. Nevertheless, Kapadia doesn’t venture much beyond documenting the final days of Federer’s legendary trek in the world of tennis.
“Federer: Twelve Final Days” kicks off with visuals of Federer’s iconic shots— the jaw-dropping tweener and incredible passing shots—capturing his transformation from an aggressive youngster to a stylish, well-rounded player. But it leaves fans longing for deeper insights into how Federer mastered these artistic shots that cemented his genius status on the court.
The documentary, albeit intriguing, lacks revelations. It doesn’t explore the mystical aura surrounding Federer or questions how his legendary peers and the increasingly competitive men’s tennis landscape challenged his invincibility. Nor does it attempt to understand the relentless spirit that drove him to rebuild his game and stage an extraordinary comeback, eventually becoming the oldest-ever world No.1.
Still, Federer’s reflections on the game pepper the otherwise dull narrative and keep viewers interested.
. Notably, he draws a comparison between tennis and chess, noting that “the battle between two players is psychological,” and expressing his delight in outmaneuvering his adversaries in their own game.
As the narrative progresses to the Laver Cup, viewers get a sense of Federer’s role as a phenomenal ambassador for tennis. Contemporary stars and many legends of yesteryears heap praises on his extraordinary talent, highlighting the massive impact he had on the sport.
During a pre-tournament press conference, Federer opens up about his first tennis hero, Bjorn Borg. Federer’s initial rise to fame sparked comparisons with Pete Sampras, especially due to his dominance on grass courts similar to the 14-time Grand Slam champion. However, Federer reminisces about idolizing Borg, being awed by his skills and stylish off-court presence.
The best segments of the documentary involve Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic is depicted as the ‘party crasher’—the second guest in Federer’s career. The Serbian had to carve out his niche in a Federer-dominated tennis community by rectifying technical flaws and adopting a never-say-die attitude. Federer candidly admits to underestimating Djokovic in the early stages of his career.
Meanwhile, Federer’s camaraderie with Nadal stands out, despite their intense rivalry. Unlike his formal relationship with Djokovic, Federer’s bond with Nadal is one of genuine friendship. This closeness is underscored by the fact that Federer informed Nadal about his retirement decision ten days before making it public. Their rivalry not only elevated tennis but also pushed each other to achieve greatness on the court.
The emotional conclusion of the documentary, portraying Federer breaking down several times, strikes the right chord without being overly sentimental. For those who have closely followed his career, witnessing the pivotal moments of his final match, how everyone rallied around him, and his heartfelt farewell to his supporters is profoundly moving.
The closing portions of the documentary serve as a nostalgic journey for Federer fans, likely to remind them of the many moments they experienced waking up at odd hours to witness his effortless dominance. From his grand entrances in crucial matches, his devastating forehand, precise first serves, to the cherished words from the umpire: “Game, set, and match, Roger Federer!”
“Federer: Twelve Final Days” is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, providing an emotional and nostalgic farewell to one of tennis’s greatest icons.
