Footsteps of Federer: A Fan's Pilgrimage Across 7 Swiss Cantons in 10 Acts

by Dave Seminara

A writer and tennis player seeks insights and inspiration by traveling across Switzerland in the footsteps of Roger Federer.

Roger Federer could live anywhere in the world, but he always returns to the place he loves Switzerland. Dave Seminara is a mad traveler and tennis lifer who has written about Federer for The New York Times and other publications. A pair of autoimmune diseases and a knee surgery kept Dave from playing tennis for years, but as he inched toward recovery, he had a bright why not start his tennis comeback on hallowed ground—courts that his hero Roger Federer graced in Switzerland.

Footsteps of Federer is a funny, novella-length account of Seminara’s travels across seven Swiss cantons in search of insights into Federer’s character, which is inextricably linked to his deep roots in, and love for, his country. Seminara timed his unique pilgrimage to the 2019 Swiss Indoors, where he had a chance to ask Roger a number of offbeat questions before and after Federer hoisted his record tenth title there. Seminara’s Federer pilgrimage took him to Switzerland’s most important abbey, where he prayed with Abbot Urban Federer; to the vineyard of Jakob Federer from Berneck, where the Federer clan originated from; to the stunning villa where Roger and Mirka were married; and to many of the neighborhoods and tennis clubs where Roger has lived and trained at over the years.

Earphones Award Winner.

Genres: Biography, Sports

144 pages, Paperback

Published March 2, 2021

About the author

Dave Seminara is a writer, former diplomat and self-diagnosed pathological traveler who lives in St. Petersburg, Florida. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BBC, The Washington Post, Outside, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, ESPN, The Boston Globe and dozens of other publications. His first book, Bed, Breakfast & Drunken Threats: Dispatches from the Margins of Europe was a #1 bestseller in Malta and Liechtenstein. In 2016, Dave won a Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism award and his stories have been featured as notable stories of the year in the 2014 edition of The Best American Sports Writing and the 2015 and 2019 editions of The Best American Travel Writing.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

So charming! Seminara is a huge fan of both Federer and tennis. He travels around Switzerland visiting places Federer has lived and practiced and played in his life. People tell him that Federer is just a regular guy without any airs and graces. The Swiss don't even seem to be that interested in tennis. The author also loves to play tennis but has had some serious health problems that kept him off the court. I loved it - the Federer fandom, the tennis, the author's own life and the narrator. The whole thing was just terrific.

[Ross Macpherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is probably no greater tennis player than Federer (and I've added the probably to that sentence only to clumsily disguise my very real bias) but there is certainly no tennis player that has inspired more great writing. Perhaps someday this will be remedied by my non existent book Rambling with Rafa, which will recount the adventures the second greatest tennis player will have as he and I wander around the countryside. Sadly he has yet to respond to any of the tweets I have sent proposing it.

This is a beautifully written memoir recounting the author's pilgrimage to Switzerland. In elegant writing he sketches portraits of significant locations in Federer's life and past, and the views of regular citizens of the country on perhaps the most famous living Swiss person. Perhaps most movingly, he also details the personal reasons that Federer means so much to him and the place tennis occupies in his life. It is quite simply a very moving book.

As a fan whose hygiene is unimpeachable enough that I hopefully escape seeming too creepy, I have read all the major books on Federer and when I pick up a new one I do not expect it will give me anything new. This book definitely gave me new insight and new information, and I recommend it highly.

[Walter Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It made me want to pack our bags and head to Switzerland. The book has three distinct elements: a travel guide to Switzerland; a deeper dive into Roger Federer and how he grew up; and the author’s story. Much has already been written about Roger Federer but the author really does a good job of making you feel like you know him on a more intimate level. Perhaps it is the Swiss culture or just how he was raised or both but one realizes reading this book that even though Roger Federer is arguably the greatest tennis player ever he has remained grounded and humble and honest about his humanity. As a huge Rafael Nadal fan I have a much greater appreciation of Roger Federer after reading this book.
The author’s story is intertwined in the book and I felt like he was in my living room having a conversation with me. I like his style and laughed out loud at his whit several times while reading the book.
This is not a tennis match review. It is one mans journey struggling to overcome adversity while paying homage to his tennis hero. Well worth the time to read.

[Mark Mallah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful and humorous book invites you to accompany the author on a delightful excursion through select parts of Switzerland. I found it particularly insightful about the Swiss people themselves, who live their lives with a certain discipline and purpose, without getting too worked up about the tennis god in their midst. No hero worship culture this, which suits Roger just fine and informs his accessible personality. The book also touchingly recounts the author's own struggle with disease, which has kept him off the tennis court, where he is now trying to return. Full of engaging interactions with a cross-section of Swiss people, interesting anecdotes about Roger and the author's brushes with him, profiles of Roger and his family, after reading it you will be ready to book your travel to Switzerland and attend the next tournament where Roger will be playing, wherever that might be.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Seminara’s “Footsteps of Federer: A Fan’s Pilgramage Across 7 Swiss Cantons in 10 Acts” is a ticket to ride for anyone who wants to take a plunge into the cultural history of Switzerland via an outsiders perspective on the living tennis legend, Roger Federer. Seminara would be a great fill in for Scottie on the Star Trek Enterprise as he transports us across the Swiss countryside. The book fulfills the adage, “books can be your best friend”, as this gem epitomizes the companionship that can develop on a road trip.
The wonderful experience is accented by surprising banter you can imagine originating straight out of a locker room or smokey press room. The contrast of the irreverent humor with the long history of monastic spirituality provides a delectable sweet and savory sauce a master chef would emulate. Too bad for the Switzerland Travel Board because we can save the trip by reading this book

[Oliver Fuhrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in Switzerland, I could bump into Roger Federer any time. He loves hiking with his family, and so do I. However, I don't think our ways have ever crossed.
American author Dave Seminara travels through Switzerland in the footsteps of Federer and meets people called Federer, people who have met the GOAT (or let's say in all fairness one of the three greatest players ever), and he visits tennis courts and other places the tennis star visited...
But will he meet Roger face to face? Maybe in a Basel luxury hotel where a hamburger costs around 50 dollars?
Enjoy this lovely book and find out!

[E.J. Flammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave did it again!! An amazing experience told by an awesome story writer!! Every avid sports fan has their hero. Dave trekked through Federer’s homeland to pay homage and see for himself what shaped his upbringing. To play tennis at the club Roger once played, to meet some of the people that Roger knew growing up must have been a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. This pilgrimage through Switzerland was a great read and I’d highly recommend it to anyone. The story was funny and yet so epic I was jealous with every page turn! Can’t wait for Dave’s next adventure in print!!

[Deirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Federer, but it's also about travel and writing, and all three come together very well. Seminara creates, or I read, a slightly melancholy feeling, as Federer is everywhere in Switzerland but nowhere to be found. When Federer finally does physically come into the story, it was for me a little deflating (and has nothing to do with Federer the person). Seminara's wandering and waiting around are the best parts, as are his engaging encounters with regular people and his sports writer colleagues.

[David D’Ambrosio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave’s ability to capture a reader’s attention with the perfect amount of historical storytelling and wit is outstanding! Although I felt transported to Switzerland reading this book, I feel the urge to dust off my passport, hop on a plane, and visit myself. And thank you, Dave, for renewing my interest in tennis!

[Martine Echasses · Rating 5 out of 5]

To read if you are a fan of Roger Federer. This story of a trip through various Swiss cities in the footsteps of Roger allows you to discover information about Roger and the Federer family in a very original way . I really enjoyed this read .

[Ariane Mauracher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! A book I highly recommend to everyone and a must-read for all Federer fans! It will give you a great insight into Roger's world and Swiss culture. The writing style is very good, I really enjoyed reading every page!

[Ariadne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave's book is a pleasure for tennis fans in general and Roger's in particular. Following his Pilgrimage is a joy and an inspiration! Great company while the King is not back on court!!

[Rajan Thambehalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review of the book is here - https://www.newlyswissed.com/footstep...

[KennyB. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a tennis fan and Federer fan for years, this is a must read book.

[Pai Siri Pal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this 4 stars because I love Roger, and it was fun reading about some of his old haunts. But this writer I did not like. He didn’t , or was afraid to pursue any in debts stuff about Roger, and I thought making sexual innuendos at times was uncalled for. In fact, it really turned me off, and I think that if Roger would read this, he would say huh!!

[Daniel C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a perfect balance of an immersive foray into Swiss culture and a window into the world of one of our generation’s greatest athletes. Highly recommended!

[Michal Seges]

An amazing book for all Roger fans.I wanted to read it again after I had read the last page.I really liked the style of writing and although I read many other books about Roger,this one was full of new information for me.Really must read for the fans.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, calling this book a love letter to Roger Federer would be an epic understatement. The author is happy to share he gets to shower in the same shower as Roger. He stakes out a hotel to see Roger’s twins. He wanders Roger’s neighborhood with pictures of Roger’s home on his phone and Federer merch in his bag. It takes stalker-y to another level. That being said, it’s good to see someone who is earnest and genuinely puts forward an honest view of his hero worship. He is not jaded in the least. Oh, and I too love Rapperswill.

[Oscar Dent · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a Federer fan, this is a charming book. Charting one man's odyssey across Switzerland, playing on many of the courts of Roger's youth, about which you'll have read in other Federer books.

Well written and sweet.

[Farid · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is good about Seminara is that he is always ready to go an extra mile!