Roger Federer: ‘Do Not Be Pushy On Your Kids.’
For the 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, pressuring young sports players is not helpful. The Swiss Maestro believes that young athletes don't need babysitting at all from their parents all throughout their careers.
The tennis champ further stated his argument that these youngsters need a breather for them to be able to develop fully their potential and skills. Pressure from parents is certainly unnecessary. For Federer, if his parents were able to find the balance in making him who he is today, other parents can do it too. Parents don't have to be present at all times.
During the champ's interview with John Bercow at a guest editing episode at Radio 4's Today programme, Federer expressed his not-knowing what his two sets of twins -girls and boys - will have to do with tennis. As to whether they will play at high level or not, Federer wants them to focus on enjoying the play rather than on the hard core part of the training.
It was reported that Mr. Bercow, the politician who happens to be a top-ranking junior tennis players in his youth, has personally chosen to interview Federer. It was said that Bercow has watched the Grand Slam titlist play 65 times before Bercow nailed him for an interview.
During the interview, Federer highly spoke about his parents' support on his chosen sport and that Robert and Lynette, the player's parents, successfully distinguished between giving advice and being "pushy." Federer further stated how essential parental advice is to make players understand the privilege of being able to attend tennis lessons and to play for tournaments.
Also, parents must also understand that giving space to their children while they try developing their potential is also very important for coaches to be able to do their job. Federer even said that if parents say they want to go and see him play in every match he's playing at, he won't mind spending the whole year with them and if they say they can't go because they think playing tennis isn't cool at all, that would still be fine and that's what parents should expect from their kids.
