FOREWORD

Over the last 20 years, Roger Federer has changed how the world sees Switzerland, and also how Switzerland sees itself. Switzerland has long been associated with watches, cheese, chocolates, and luxury goods, as well as with mountains and banks. Thanks to Federer, unquestionably the greatest and the most elegant tennis player of all time, the country is now also known for sporting genius.

It was in 2003-the same year that Ernesto Bertarelli’s Team Alinghi won the America’s Cup, giving landlocked Switzerland that trophy for the first time–that Federer first became a Grand Slam champion. Fifteen years later, with his triumph at the 2018 Australian Open, he was still winning majors.

The first coffee-table book about the Swiss, ‘Federesque’ is a celebration of his unparalleled style, imagination, verve and artistry, with the images from award-winning photographer Antoine Couvercelle beautifully illustrating the poise and grace of his strokes and movement. Accompanying the photo-graphs are mini-essays from leading tennis journalist and author Mark Hodgkinson, who has witnessed most of Federer’s career highlights, and has interviewed him several times.

Beyond the Lens is proud that ‘Federesque’ has been printed in Federer’s home country so, like the man himself, is SWISS MADE.

Sándor Szabados,

Concept and editor