“It’s a love-hate”: Roger Federer opens up about his complicated relationship with social media

Roger Federer may have retired from professional tennis in 2022, but his influence on the sport remains undeniable. Now, the 20-time Grand Slam champion is opening up about something very different from forehands and trophies — the pressures of social media and how it shaped one of the most important announcements of his life.

Federer’s retirement post, published in September 2022, was one of the most emotional moments in recent tennis history. Millions of fans around the world watched as he said goodbye to the ATP Tour. But behind the carefully chosen words and polished video, Federer admits there was a hidden tension: the anxiety of releasing something so personal into an environment that can turn critical in seconds.

“I find it difficult, to be honest, because there’s so much,” Federer said of social media. While he acknowledged that he has always been good at handling criticism, the endless cycle of content posting has left him uneasy. “If I read ten comments and nine are positive, one negative won’t make me question my backhand. But the problem is the constant need to post. Sometimes I’d rather post less because I want to go through my day thinking about other things.”

This candid reflection paints a very human picture of a global icon. For two decades, Federer was admired not only for his artistry on court but also for his calm, composed image off it. Yet even someone of his stature has struggled with the relentless pace of the online world. It’s a reminder that today’s athletes live in a very different spotlight compared to when Federer first rose to fame.

Federer contrasted today’s online culture with the slower, more filtered communication of the early 2000s. Back then, his official website served as the main platform for news and fan updates. “Nowadays you drop something and it goes out to everybody, like on my retirement,” Federer explained. The speed and reach of modern platforms like Instagram and Twitter (now X) left him feeling both grateful and overwhelmed.

That “love-hate” relationship is familiar to many athletes who balance connecting with fans against protecting their mental health. For Federer, the challenge isn’t about validation but about time and focus. “I get quite… I don’t know how to deal with that. Sometimes I’d rather not think about posting at all.”

Interestingly, Federer says he doesn’t feel pressure to maintain a constant public presence now that he is no longer competing. His focus has shifted toward family, travel, and mentoring his four children in their own sports. Still, he remains aware of the expectations that come with his global status. Fans want to see him, brands want to highlight him, and the tennis world still views him as a voice of authority.

Yet Federer’s honesty shows that stepping back from the tour hasn’t fully relieved the weight of visibility. If anything, it has highlighted how the modern athlete’s life is shaped as much by digital attention as by on-court achievements. His reflections on social media underscore a larger truth about professional sport in 2025: performance doesn’t end when the match is over — it continues online.