Neeraj Chopra Reflects on Meeting Roger Federer, Seeks Career Advice from the Tennis Legend

Neeraj Chopra, India’s acclaimed javelin star known as the ‘Golden Boy,’ recently shared insights from his rendezvous with tennis icon Roger Federer in Zurich, Switzerland, earlier this year. The Olympic and world champion, gearing up for the Doha Diamond League, discussed his interaction with Federer and the valuable advice he received.

During their meeting in January, Federer presented Neeraj with an autographed tennis racquet, reciprocated by the ‘Golden Boy’ with a signed India jersey from the Asian Games. Neeraj praised Federer’s persona and athletic prowess, highlighting the discussions they had about maintaining a successful athletic career.

In a virtual press briefing, Neeraj expressed admiration for Federer’s longevity in sports and sought advice on sustaining peak performance over time. “I asked him that he had a long career, he played at the top level and maintained everything so how did he do it?” Neeraj mentioned, emphasizing Federer’s insights on balancing competition, training, and rest.

Reflecting on their conversation, Neeraj shared Federer’s perspective on the importance of balancing workload to avoid fatigue, injuries, and excessive travel. “He said that as athletes, we have to balance what we have to play. If we play more, it means less training, you will get tired, more injuries, and more traveling,” Neeraj recounted.

During their casual chat, Neeraj also inquired about Federer’s experiences with Indian cuisine, to which Federer shared his fondness for Indian food, ranking it in his top five culinary choices.

Neeraj Chopra gained international acclaim in 2018 with impressive performances at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, showcasing his potential as a rising star in athletics. His meeting with Federer provided not just a memorable experience but also valuable insights into sustaining excellence in sports.