Rest, Pleasure, and Longevity: How Federer Adapted His Off-Season
Vacations, Rest, Pleasure: The Secret Weapon of Tennis Legends
In a sport as demanding as professional tennis, where the body is subjected to constant strain, recovery has become a science.
Yet, some of the biggest stars on the tour have always advocated an almost counterintuitive approach: knowing how to completely disconnect.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, the pillars of the legendary Big Three, have each developed their own relationship with rest. And for the Swiss player, this philosophy is as follows.
Roger Federer: "I Eat Freely, Without Worrying About Calories"
Throughout his career, Roger Federer never hid his carefree attitude toward the off-season.
Far from the strict diets and constant constraints of the tour, the Swiss player fully embraced his moments of pleasure.
"During vacations, I eat whatever I want. Cookies, fondue, desserts. I don't count calories."
A statement that contrasts with the ultra-disciplined image of high-level sports. But Federer always clarifies a key point: this letting go is only possible because he maintains a dietary plan suited to him for the rest of the year.
A Mental Balance as Important as Physical Preparation
For Federer, rest is not just about letting the body recover. It is mainly about freeing the mind.
Outside of competition, he explained that he does not feel the need to be excessively strict as long as he remains active, continues to train normally, and maintains an overall consistent lifestyle.
This healthy relationship with performance allowed the Swiss player to remain competitive until age 41, a feat almost unprecedented in the history of modern tennis.
Find the Full Investigation on Tennis Temple This Weekend
"Vacations, Rest, and Nutrition in the Off-Season: An Investigation into the Methods of the Stars" available on December 20, 2025.
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