All About Roger Federer's Parents, Lynette and Robert Federer

Tennis legend Roger Federer has both Swiss and South African citizenship thanks to his parents

Roger Federer is certainly most well-known for his career as a professional tennis player, but the famous athlete also comes from a noteworthy heritage.

Born in Basel, Switzerland on Aug. 8, 1981, Roger is the son of Lynette and Robert Federer.

Robert comes from an elite Swiss family on his father’s side, which originated in the northeastern region of the country. Roger’s mother came to Switzerland from South Africa as an adult, having been employed by a pharmaceutical company in the European country. The couple met at work, married in 1973 and welcomed two children, Roger and his sister Diana.

Related: Who Is Roger Federer's Wife? All About Mirka Federer

Despite their different geographical backgrounds, Roger’s parents raised him within a strong family unit.

During his 2024 commencement speech at Dartmouth College, where the tennis player was awarded an honorary degree for his philanthropic work with the Roger Federer Foundation, he credited his parents for having “always supported” and “encouraged” him, and for “always [understanding] what I most wanted and needed to be.”

From his mother’s role at the Roger Federer Foundation to his father’s teachings, here is everything to know about Roger Federer’s parents, Robert and Lynette Federer.

Lynette is from South Africa

Born in South Africa in 1952, Lynette spent her early life in the city of Germiston, also known as kwaDukathole.

While Lynette settled and raised her children with Robert in Switzerland, she continues to make trips to her home country through her work with the Roger Federer Foundation.

In keeping with her South African roots, Lynette has cited Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela as a book she keeps on her nightstand. The book, written by Nelson Mandela — formerly the president of South Africa and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize — is a fitting inspiration for Lynette given her philanthropic interests.

Robert is a descendent of a prominent Swiss family

Raised in the municipality of Berneck, St. Gallen in Switzerland, Robert comes from a high-class lineage.

Reportedly, the family rose to prominence during the Middle Ages. The Federer's occupations have spanned politics, priesthood and now – thanks to Roger – tennis.

Lynette and Robert met through work

Long before Roger gained notoriety in sports, Lynette and Robert met through work.

In the 1970s, they were both employed by Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals — Roger even had some of his first tennis experiences on the company's courts with his parents. In 1973, Lynette and Roger tied the knot.

They share two children

In 1979, Lynette gave birth to her and Robert’s first child, Diana. Two years later, in 1981, they welcomed Roger.

Diana also played tennis as a child but has since gone on to pursue nursing. She continues to live and work as a nurse in Switzerland.

Lynette and Robert encouraged their son’s tennis career

While Lynette and Robert were working for Ciba-Geigy in Basel, Roger and Diana spent their weekends playing tennis at the company’s private courts. Starting at the age of 3, hours spent on the court quickly became a way of life for Roger.

After proving his knack for the sport, Lynette enrolled Roger in an elite junior program called the Old Boys Tennis Club, based in Basel. Later, he went on to become the country’s best junior player.

Throughout his meteoric tennis rise, Roger’s parents played a continued role in his success. His father was fiercely disciplined and once left him during practice when he wasn’t taking it seriously.

“I was playing with my dad and my attitude was always very temperamental and not the best at times, and my dad would get frustrated,” Federer explained in a 2016 video for Nike. “So he put five Swiss francs on the bench next to me and said, ‘I’m leaving. I’ll see you at home.’ “

The Federer parents' tough love methods have been met with appreciation from Roger. In his Dartmouth commencement speech, he explained that “relationships matter the most. I learned this way of thinking from the best: my parents, of course.”

Lynette is a trustee for the Roger Federer Foundation

The Roger Federer Foundation, which the tennis player launched in 2003 at the age of 22, supports “educational projects in Southern Africa and Switzerland,” according to the organization’s website. With an emphasis on early education, they work with local, non-governmental bodies.

Not only does the initiative conduct impactful work, it has given Lynette increased opportunities to spend time between South Africa and Switzerland. Currently, she sits on the organization’s Board of Trustees.

They are grandparents to six children

On July 23, 2009, Robert and Lynette became grandparents when Roger and his wife Mirka welcomed twin girls Myla and Charlene. Later, on May 6, 2014, Mirka gave birth to another set of twins – this time boys – Leo and Lenny.

Twins run in the family: Roger’s maternal grandmother was a twin. Likewise, his sister Diana has a set of twins, Emilie and Ramon, making Robert and Lynette six-time grandparents.

Related: All About Roger Federer and Mirka Federer's 4 Kids

Along with crediting his parents in his 2024 commencement speech at Dartmouth, Roger also gave a loving shout-out to his wife and four children.

“A family is a team. I feel so very lucky that my incredible wife, Mirka, who makes every joy in my life even brighter, and our four amazing children, Myla, Charlene, Leo and Lenny, are here with me today. And more important, that we are here for each other every day," he said.

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