TENNIS legend Roger Federer watched on as Aston Villa took on his beloved FC Basel in the Europa League.
The eight-time Wimbledon champion, 44, is a boyhood Basel fan, having been born in the Swiss city.
And having hung up his racquet in 2022 – the Swiss sensation has had some free time to watch his boyhood club.
With Unai Emery‘s former European champions in town, Federer headed to St Jakob-Park to catch the game.
Despite going on to become one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Federer grew up idolising several FC Basel footballers.
As part of the club’s 125th anniversary celebrations in 2018, Federer said: “The FCB was my club as a kid, and it is still today. Around 25 years ago, I was an unusual guest and passionate fan in the FCB old stadium.
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“There were grounds made of stones around the stadium, and I was usually sitting on the left side where there were less people.
“Whoever grows up in Basel is an FCB fan. I lived in Munchenstein, it was not that far away from our football pitch. When I was travelling all the time on the tennis circuit, I could not be there so much.
“But my role models of FCB inspired on my way. My first hero was Karli Odermatt, then I got interested in Christian Gimenez and Massimo Ceccaroni.”
Federer even went on to add: “I want to let know people who wear my favourite football shirt that I am always behind them.”
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Unfortunately for the tennis maestro, Villa took the lead on just 12 minutes via forward Evann Guessand.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion will have been delighted, however, when Flavius Daniliuc levelled for the home side just after the half hour.
But Youri Tielemans reclaimed Villa’s lead in the 53rd minute.
And unfortunately for Federer, the Villans held out for an impressive 2-1 win.
Earlier today, Federer announced that he will return to Australia next month for the first time since he retired.
The former world No1 joked: “I’ve been thinking it’s really cold here in Switzerland.
“I need to make a trip again and head back Down Under.”
Federer will take part in a “Battle of the World No1s” on the eve of the tournament, alongside the likes of Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt.
In a statement, he added: “It feels like a lifetime ago that I coined the phrase the ‘Happy Slam’ for the Australian Open, and it still makes me smile when I think about all the moments I’ve had here.”
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