Roger Federer admits he was feeling overwhelmed after his record-breaking feat with Rafael Nadal in South Africa. On Friday, two of the greatest players in the world linked up for an exhibition in front of a record attendance of 51,954 people for a tennis match at the Cape Town Stadium.
Along with Microsoft founder Bill Gates and South African comedian Trevor Noah, $3.5million was raised for the Roger Federer Foundation.
Federer’s mother Lynette was born in the country and they shared an emotional embrace before the occasion got underway.
And speaking in the post-match press conference, Federer admitted the magnitude of the moment truly hit him before the doubles match.
Federer said: “It’s true, there was a world record too. I forget it almost with everything that’s been going on – so many emotions, so many incredible feelings for me.
“To have 51,954 people in attendance at a tennis match, I never thought I would be part of something like that, to be honest. It’s not something you dream about, and these things just all of a sudden happen.
“To be able to be part of it, and I was able to be part of organising it. Creating a dream like this, in the place where I have my roots – and I am so proud that I have my roots here in South Africa – I know it’s very special on so many levels.
“You know, I told Trevor on the court like, ‘You stand here and you look back already and you think, can we maybe do another Match In Africa, like next month!’, it was so nice.
“But then again, everybody’s tired, everybody’s feet up right now because everybody worked so hard.
“We set a world record for the highest attendance for a tennis match and I got to play tennis with two of the greatest players of all time whilst also sharing the court with my friend and one of the greatest minds of all time.
“And all of this happened in my home country, South Africa. Thank you Roger, Rafa, Bill and every single person who supported this great cause.
“I have lived one thousand dreams in one night.”