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The tennis star opens a playground in Emmen (LU). To the great delight of all the school children, he tries it out himself.
“Are you ready?” Roger Federer asks the pupils at the primary school in Emmen. A girl nods and cuts the red ribbon as a sign that the playground is now officially open.
It’s a happy day for everyone: for the students because after a week of waiting they can finally throw themselves into the green adventure land and for the tennis star because he can inaugurate the first of 100 natural playgrounds in Switzerland.
The 40-year-old takes his time and fully engages with the children. Two blindfolded blindfolded girls lead him along a path in the forest paved with pine cones. He balances over narrow tree trunks with 6-year-olds and carefully examines the insect hotel with the older ones.
4300 playgrounds in Africa
Three years ago, the “Roger Federer Foundation” in Africa started to build so-called natural playgrounds. Now there are already 4,300 there. Close to nature means promoting the motor and cognitive development of children and their connection to nature. The playgrounds are adapted to local needs and circumstances.
In the end, all children play similarly.
“Ultimately, all children play similarly. They hide, like to climb, it’s about the same for everyone. It’s the same with us adults, exercise is fun and it’s wonderful to experience it here,” says Roger Federer.
Playground visits around the world
He knows what he’s talking about. The father of four has spent a lot of time on playgrounds over the past decade. And that worldwide. He reveals about his twin boys Leo and Lenny (8) and his twin girls Myla and Charlene (12): “The boys still like to go to playgrounds. The girls, who are almost 13 years old, prefer to hang out with friends and have their own ideas for things to do.»
His newest addition, puppy Willow, will also be seen in playgrounds soon. “If dogs are allowed, then we’ll definitely take them with us,” says the tennis star.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner should invest more time in his tennis comeback. Because that is planned for autumn. The Basel native says: “It will take a while, we have to be patient. I go to the gym a lot. The goal is to be ready for the Laver Cup and Basel by the end of the year. »