Back in 2020, the US Open made a decision to drop wheelchair tennis from its schedule. The backlash was swift. Wheelchair players were upset, saying they weren’t consulted and didn’t agree with the call. The decision was eventually reversed — and it didn’t happen in a vacuum. Wheelchair player Dylan Scott publicly thanked Andy Murray, Roger Federer, and others on the ATP and WTA tours who “lobbied internally to help us get there.” And Federer’s still showing up — quite literally.

Recently, the Swiss Maestro took a break from his vacation in Monte Carlo to surprise a group of wheelchair tennis players by appearing at an event organized by ON. The players had no idea he would be joining them. Giuliano Carnovali, one of the athletes present, shared the experience on Instagram.

In his caption, he praised the 43-year-old and said, “We were out there playing tennis when suddenly Roger walks onto the court. His Aura is Insane. I completely freaked out.”

“He was the nicest guy. He said hi to everyone, shook hands, took pictures, and then started feeding balls like a tennis coach. He made time for every single one of us, hitting with about 10 people on our court for at least 20 minutes. And he did the same on maybe six different courts.” And Carnovali’s personal experience?

“It was incredible to see how humble, friendly, and truly authentic he is. They always say ‘never meet your idols, you’ll be disappointed.’ But this was the complete opposite. It was more than I ever imagined. I’m still shaking. I’m thrilled.”

Just Federer being Federer.

In the “73 Questions” series with Vogue, he once said he wants to be remembered as “a good tennis player” and “philanthropic” Mission one: accomplished. Mission two? Still going strong.

The Roger Federer Foundation is the channel through which he continues to uplift lives. Since 2003, the foundation has been working to provide access to early education for children living in poverty. They’ve already helped more than 2.5 million children. The foundation operates in Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and even in Federer’s home country, Switzerland.

Fun fact: One of the most telling signs of his character has been the ATP Sportsmanship Award, which Federer has won a record 13 times. His fellow players voted him as the winner from 2004 to 2009 and again from 2011 to 2017.

And the 20-time Grand Slam champion remains personally involved in this endeavor.

Roger Federer meets children in South Africa

In February this year, Roger Federer spent time with children in South Africa. The country holds personal significance for him as his mother, Lynette, was born there. The Swiss legend spoke at a breakfast event in Johannesburg on behalf of his foundation. He used the platform to encourage local leaders to commit to ensuring that every child in South Africa has access to early childhood development services by 2030.

“It’s a joyful experience to walk into vibrant classrooms filled with children learning, reading, and playing, just as children everywhere should be allowed to do,” Federer said during his speech. “Witnessing them grow into nurses, teachers, and computer programmers fills me with hope.”

He added, “I worked tirelessly to achieve success in tennis. It demanded much from me, but I was fortunate to have guidance and opportunities. That’s what I want to provide for others, a chance for growth and success.”

So, while Federer may have stepped off the court professionally, his influence hasn’t slowed down. If anything, it’s growing in a whole new direction. He’s not chasing titles anymore, he’s changing lives. Isn’t that the best legacy a champion can leave behind?