Federer happy to be back in SA

Swiss great and Rafael Nadal join Trevor Noah and Bill Gates for doubles match

THERE weren’t many Capetonians to welcome him, but tennis legend Roger Federer says it’s going to be “quite emotional” to face Rafael Nadal in the Match In Africa at the Cape Town Stadium tomorrow.

Federer, who holds the record of 20 Grand Slam singles titles, jetted into the Mother City yesterday.

Federer’s mother, Lynette, is a bornand-bred South African who married a Swiss.

While Federer, 38, grew up in Basel, the heartstrings still pull towards Mzansi.

He expressed his frustration at not playing in South Africa earlier, but is delighted to finally swing a racket in anger against his great Spanish rival Rafa Nadal tomorrow night, where he hopes to raise more than $1 million (R15 million) for the Roger Federer Foundation, which helps children in need through education in southern Africa and Switzerland.

He said that he was “rather shy” to speak about his charity work, but hoped to inspire with his visit to South Africa.

“I’m excited that this match is finally around the corner now. I have family here and I love being here, so it’s nice to be back.

“Now it’s all about meeting and seeing people, and enjoying myself as much as I can,” Federer said at a press conference at Cape Town International Airport.

“I’m happy that it’s taking place in South Africa, a place that I have come to as a child.

“I think it’s going to be quite emotional, to be honest, as I wanted to play in South Africa for many, many years.

“I can’t believe it’s taken this long, but I’m fortunate enough to make it happen while I am still active on the tour.

“I’m sure it’s going to be a wonderful evening, and I just hope it’s going to be dry.”

Federer said he still remembers holidays in South Africa fondly.

“The speed of life here in Africa has definitely been good for me. Growing up, she has always been an open-house type – my dad actually, too,” he said.

“I love having people around and being a good host, and that’s what I’ve learned a lot from my mom.

“She is tough, but fair. I enjoyed my vacations here as a little boy, and I wished I could’ve come here more often.”

Nadal, 33, who is currentl in Kuwait to open one of his tennis academies, is scheduled to arrive in Cape Town today.

The Spaniard – the holder of 19 Grand Slam singles titles – will partner comedian Trevor Noah in a doubles match against Federer and Bill Gates, before the two tennis legends square off in their own singles match.

Federer recently stated that his doubles team should be called “Gateserer”, after Noah challenged him on social media.