Of Carter and Federer
“I hope he would be proud of me” said Roger Federer before breaking into tears. It was during the now famous interview with CNN ahead of the 2019 Australian Open. He was talking about Peter Carter — his coach, who laid the foundation of everything that Federer went on to become but sadly did not live to see his mentee’s triumphs.
Carter was a tennis player from Australia but had limited success, taking part in 11 Grand Slam tournaments but never progressing beyond the second round. However, his career as a coach would be unmatched with his most famous pupil being none other than Roger Federer, the Swiss sensation who would go on to become one of all-time greats, winning 20 Grand Slam titles.
In 1990, Carter’s coaching ambitions took him to the Old Boys Tennis Club in Switzerland, where he met a nine-year old Federer and immediately recognized that he was a special talent. “So many people talk about my effortless style and technique. I was able to perfect it later in my life, but Peter Carter set the foundation.” Federer would later recount.
Apart from mentoring Federer in his early years, Carter also became the head coach of Switzerland’s national tennis squad. He was even the preferred choice for the team’s captain at the Davis Cup and was awaiting his Swiss citizenship. Alas, that would never come to pass.
An enduring bond
Federer was at the Tennis Masters Series event of 2002 in Toronto when he received the shocking news that his childhood coach had died in a car crash while on his honeymoon in South Africa. He was devastated and went through his match red-eyed while sporting a black armband to mourn Carter’s demise.
Federer often refers to Carter’s death as a turning point in his career, saying “I guess it was somewhat of a wake-up call for me when he passed away and I really started to train hard”.
Less than a year after Carter’s tragic death, Federer won his first Grand Slam at Wimbledon.
For every Australian Open since Carter’s passing, Federer had a special ritual. He would email Carter’s parents — Bob and Diana — and book them tickets to the tournament, along with flights, accommodation and a courtesy car.
Not everyone who shapes a legacy gets to see it unfold. Carter may not have lived to witness Federer’s greatness, but he would be content in knowing his hand was present in every part of it.
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