Roger Federer famously has not one but two sets of identical twins, and the doting dad has admitted that he used to have trouble telling them apart.
The 37-year-old Swiss tennis star, who is close friends with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, took a break from his training just two days before the start of Wimbledon to take part in the publication’s 73 Questions series — revealing he occasionally mixed up his kids when they were babies.
‘I used to sometimes if I couldn’t see their face right away,’ he said when he was asked if he ever got his identical twins confused. ‘But no, nowadays I’m a pro. Of course, I can tell them apart.’
Understandable: Roger Federer, 37, admitted in his Vogue 73 Questions interview that he used to have trouble telling his identical twins apart when they were babies
Family: Roger and his wife, Mirka Federer, have a set of nine-year-old twin girls, Myla and Charlene Federer, and five-year-old twin boys, Lenny and Leo Federer (pictured in 2017)
Roger and his wife, Mirka Federer, have a set of nine-year-old twin girls, Myla and Charlene Federer, and five-year-old twin boys, Lenny and Leo Federer.
When asked what his children have taught him over the years, the proud dad said ‘patience and snuggling again.’
As for what he wants his four kids to learn from him, he added: ‘I want to teach them everything I know and more. I love them so much.’
Unsurprisingly, Roger’s teachings also include tennis. He told CNN in November that all of his children play tennis, and they started earlier than he did.
The 20-time Grand Slam tourney winner started playing tennis at the age of eight, and he began his career as a ball boy when he was about 12 years old.
Doting dad: The athlete said he is now a ‘pro’ at telling his twins apart. His daughters are pictured at Wimbledon in 2012
Legend: Roger stopped to talk the ball boys and girls at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Clubs during the interview. He was a ball boy when he was about 12 years old
During his interview with Vogue, Roger said he played for two hours a day every second day when he was 12.
Now, his training ranges from zero to four hours a day. On his off days, he said he ‘takes it easy’ and runs around with his kids.
‘I have to save my energy sometimes,’ he explained.
Looking back on his illustrious career, Roger said he thought he was a ‘good’ tennis player in the juniors, but when he beat Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001 at the age of 19 he knew he was good.
‘It’s so wrong to say that,’ he told the camera.
Looking for a win: The tennis legend said he stores all of his trophies in a large cabinet at his home. ‘But we always have space for more,’ he added
Shining moment: Roger said he ‘knew’ he was ‘good’ after he beat Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001 (pictured)
When asked about his signature shot, he said his ‘slice’ or maybe his ‘forehand,’ and he admitted that he gets attached to his tennis racket.
‘I love my racket and its the extension of my arm and it does all the magic for me,’ he explained.
It wouldn’t be a Vogue interview without some mention of fashion, and Roger revealed his style icon is designer Tom Ford.
The champion went on to share the best style advice he ever got, which is: ‘You wear the clothes, not the clothes wear you.’
He also recalled the advice Anna gave him when he asked her if he should wear a dark or light suit one evening.
Fashion friend: The athlete is close friends with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour (pictured in 2013), and he recalled her telling him to wear a dark suit instead of a light suit
Shining moment: The tour of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club culminated on Centre Court, which is considered the world’s most famous tennis court
Advice: Roger received a message from Anna, who told him over the loudspeaker to get ‘back to those practice courts’ ahead of Wimbledon. ‘Thank you Anna!’ he shouted back
‘She said, “The dark suit, of course, Roger.” I was like, “Of course.” Anna knows best,’ he said of the fashion icon.
The tennis legend is looking to win his ninth Wimbledon title, and as they passed a trophy case during the interview, he said he stores all of his trophies in a large cabinet at his home.
‘But we always have space for more,’ he added.
The tour of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club culminated on Centre Court, which is considered the world’s most famous tennis court.
‘It’s, I think, a dream come true for every tennis player to play there,’ he said of the legendary court.
Roger also shared his strategy going into Wimbledon, saying: ‘It’s pretty relaxed actually. It’s all about recovery and coming into the tournament with loads of energy. That’s my plan.’
Success: The Vogue video was released on Tuesday, the same day Roger defeated South Africa’s Lloyd George Harris in his first round match
His biggest fans: Roger’s son was seen yelling on the sidelines while his wife Mirka took a more relaxed approach to the game
Focused: The tennis stars’s children watched on along with their mother as his much-anticipated match got underway
He admitted that Rafael Nadal is the person he dreads playing the most, but the fellow champion also happens to be his favorite player to match up against.
At the end of the clip, Roger received a message from his dear friend Anna over the loudspeaker.
‘Hello Roger, this is Anna. Good luck at Wimbledon,’ she said. ‘Now back to those practice courts.’
‘Thank you Anna!’ he shouted back.
The Vogue video was released on Tuesday, the same day Roger was cheered on by his wife and children at his first round match on the second day of Wimbledon.
The tennis ace defeated South Africa’s Lloyd George Harris while his family watched him cruise to victory.
Roger is currently ranked as world no. 3 in men’s singles and has won Wimbledon an impressive eight times.