Robert Federer rarely releases interviews about his son Roger, but when he does, he always says interesting things. Speaking to Schweizer Illustrierte, the 71-year-old said: 'Until 12 years, Roger was playing both football and tennis and played also squash.

Clearly, at one stage you had to take a choice because it's impossible to get professional in three sports.' Robert does not like parents' attitude nowadays in sports towards their children: 'A kid should do what he likes, not heading into the court for money.

In the tennis world, there are many ambitious parents who do not accept that their son won't probably get any success. They should be honest with themselves and then with their children.' Robert does not agree with the current methods used to "create" a tennis player, either: 'At 12 years, guys get forced to play 14 hours a week.

They do not do it to enjoy but because it's a sort of oblige. They practice from Monday to Friday and then on Saturday and Sunday they play tournaments. It seems excessive to me. At 12 years Roger was playing tennis but football too.

At 16 years, he was European number five. The reason why he had success? The talent. I think he took it from his mother, I do not have any sports talent.' ALSO READ: Rafael Nadal: Worse players than David Ferrer won a Grand Slam title