"Roger Federer: Twelve Final Days" Review

Roger Federer: Twelve Final Days is a poignant documentary that captures the final 12 days of Roger Federer's illustrious playing career. The film focuses on his participation in the 2022 Laver Cup. Roger had a fitting end to his career by playing alongside his great rival and close friend, Rafael Nadal, as Team Europe battle against Team USA. It's a deeply emotional journey that explores his profound relationship with tennis and his competitors.

The documentary highlights the end of Federer's career, with brief flashes of his triumphs throughout. It builds up to and explores the aftermath of his retirement announcement and his final match. Viewers are treated to behind-the-scenes footage of the Laver Cup, showcasing how Federer copes with the situation before, during, and after his final match.

One of the most memorable moments is the emotional conclusion of his last match, where both Federer and Nadal are in tears. The locker room scenes also stand out, particularly one where Nadal humorously discusses another player's grunting.

Interviews and testimonies from other players and fans reveal the immense impact Federer has had on the sport. Their admiration highlights his class off the court as much as on it. As a tennis coach, I found his love for the sport and his humility despite his greatness particularly inspiring. He also mentions how he tried to show more emotion when he was losing but it didn't work for him.

While the documentary doesn't delve deeply into surprising facts about Federer's entire career, it effectively focuses on his final days, offering a touching portrayal of his emotional journey. It emphasises the passion and dedication of sports stars, their sacrifices, and the involvement of their families. Federer's journey from a ball kid with a dream to one of the greatest players of all time is truly inspiring.

The production quality of the documentary is excellent, with a good pace that keeps viewers engaged. Personally, I would have loved to see it as a longer series.

Would I recommend Roger Federer: Twelve Final Days? Absolutely. It's an emotional and insightful documentary that shows what tennis means to Federer. If you’re an RF fan you will not be disappointed.