Power of the Game
Roger Federer was recently named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people. It’s an honor for an athlete, especially a foreigner, to make it on the list. The inclusion of Federer is a tribute to Roger, as well as a recognition of the growth of the global stature of the sport of tennis. What comes next? Federer has handled the responsibilities that come with being the Number One player in the world admirably over the past few
years, but how can he and the sport of tennis do more in the future? There is always a fine line to walk when one uses one’s celebrity stature to further political, social and other causes. However, as tennis legends Arthur Ashe and Andre Agassi have already shown, one can straddle that fine line successfully and achieve a very positive impact on the world. Federer is already active through his foundation and his role with the United Nations, but he has the potential to achieve much more both while he is still on the Tour and after he retires. Ultimately, it is Federer’s choice what kind of imprint he chooses to leave both on the sport of tennis and on the world around him. Let’s hope that he seeks even more paths on which to leave his footprints…
|
