Federer off to Japan for post-career PR duties

Roger Federer will kick off his post-career public life with a trip to Tokyo and a PR date with his mega-sponsor Uniqlo.

The 41-year-old who retired last month after more than two decades of record-setting, will headline Uniqlo LifeWear Day on November 19 in the Japanese capital. 

The venue is the Ariake Colosseum, where the Swiss won the Japan Open title in 2006, the only year he played the tournament.

Among his estimated USD 100 million or so annual income from sponsorships, Uniqlo stands out, paying the 20-time Grand Slam champion an estimated USD 30 million per annum on a decade-long contract.

As he retired in an emotional September ceremony at the Laver Cup in London, Federer said he plans to remain close to the sport he helped to shape as a modern icon.

In Tokyo, Federer will participate in a chat discussion with Japanese wheelchair tennis great Shingo Kunieda.

But it’s obvious Federer is being picky in what outside duties he takes on after declining to participate in a “farewell” to home fans at next week’s Swiss Indoors in his hometown of Basel.

Federer won the tournament 10 times and began his career on court as a ball kid nearly three decades ago.

He is also being tipped as a possible Wimbledon colour commentator, though that gig remains pure speculation at the moment.

Main photo:- Roger Federer and wife Mirka