For the millions of Roger Federer fans around the globe, the inevitable moment finally arrived on September 15, 2022. 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 stated, drawing the curtains on his glorious 24-year career. Federer’s illustrious journey saw him win 20 Grand Slam titles and compete in over 1500 matches.
In the poignant documentary “Federer: Twelve Final Days,” filmmakers Asif Kapadia and Joe Sabia capture the essence of the 12 days leading up to Federer’s final competitive match. The Swiss maestro partnered with his long-time rival and dear friend Rafael Nadal for a doubles match at the Laver Cup held in London’s O2 Arena. The documentary bravely attempts to delve into the psyche of a sporting legend as he gears up for his final curtain call. Despite the promising premise, the film’s outcome feels somewhat cursory and nostalgic without significant depth.
Throughout the documentary, we see Federer grappling with his emotions. There are a few light-hearted yet nervous moments where he expresses his trepidation about retiring. Nevertheless, the majority of the film portrays Federer’s efforts to stay composed, not fully capturing the anticipation surrounding his much-awaited farewell. The initial part of the documentary mainly explores the series of knee surgeries that plagued Federer toward the end of his career, offering little else.
Given this is an account of Federer’s remarkable life and career, and considering that Kapadia, a documentary expert, is at the helm, one would expect a more in-depth exploration. Unfortunately, Kapadia sticks primarily to the fundamental idea of documenting Federer’s final days without delving deeper into the nuances and challenges faced by the tennis legend.
“Federer: Twelve Final Days” begins with visuals of many of Federer’s incredible shots — from the jaw-dropping tweener to his stunning passing shots. These clips showcase Federer’s evolution from a boyish, aggressive player to a polished and well-rounded athlete. However, the film leaves us yearning for more insights into how Federer mastered these shots that contributed to his artistry on the court.
The documentary offers little revelation, failing to uncover the reasons behind Federer’s enigmatic aura. It does not question how his legendary peers and the increasingly competitive field of men’s tennis affected his invincibility. Nor does it make any effort to understand the spirited attitude that enabled Federer to rebuild his game and stage a magnificent comeback, becoming the oldest-ever world No.
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However, Federer’s reflections on the game keep the audience engaged amidst the lackluster segments. Intriguingly, Federer compares tennis to chess, stating that “the battle between two players is psychological.” He reveals that he loved outsmarting his opponents at their own game.
As the narrative shifts to the Laver Cup, we sense Federer’s growth into an exceptional ambassador for the sport. Contemporaries and past tennis stars lavish praise on his talents. At a press conference before the tournament, Federer reminisces about his first tennis hero, Bjorn Borg. Although Federer’s early dominance on grass courts led many to see him as an ideal successor to the great Pete Sampras, Federer reveals he idolized Borg for his skills and stylish off-field persona.
Expectedly, the most captivating portions of the documentary involve Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic is depicted as a party crasher, the second challenger during Federer’s career. The Serbian star faced the challenge of establishing himself in a Federer-centric tennis world by refining his technique and embodying a never-say-die spirit. Federer acknowledges that he did not “give enough respect to Djokovic” in the early stages of the Serb’s career.
In contrast, his camaraderie with Nadal, despite their intense rivalry, is a beautiful exception. While Federer maintained a formal relationship with Djokovic, he viewed Nadal as a good friend. This friendship is evident in Federer informing Nadal of his retirement decision ten days before making it official. Their rivalry significantly boosted tennis and allowed both players to excel.
The documentary’s emotional ending, showing Federer breaking down multiple times, is fitting and not overly sentimental. For those who have followed his career, watching the essential moments of his final match, the rallying support from everyone around him, and his farewell messages to friends and fans is profoundly moving.
The closing sections of the documentary offer a nostalgic journey for Federer’s fans. It brings back the memories of waking up at odd hours to witness his effortless dominance, his formidable forehand, precise first serve, and those crucial words from the umpire: “Game, set, and match, Roger Federer!”
“Federer: Twelve Final Days” is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
