
Of late, I have fallen in love with various documentaries. There is something so irreplaceably enriching about depositing yourself into someone else’s world and learning all about their struggles, victories, and life lessons in such a raw, real manner. Every morning, I used to walk on the treadmill while I watched different kinds of documentaries carrying their unique narratives. But recently, I came across one that really touched my heart—it was that of a sports personality. Interestingly, I had never watched in my entire life a game in which he featured, nor, for that matter, was I ever into the particular ball game which he played. Yet, as I listened, I found out something quite surprising: I had once quoted him in one of my blogs, without ever knowing where his words came from.
The documentary was about his retirement from the professional game, one of those bitter-sweet moments in a sportsman’s life. When he said this during one of those parting scenes, he smiled and said, “I wish I don’t have to use any tissues today.” Yet, at the end of it all, the confession was, “I ended up using a lot of tissues to wipe my tears.” Indeed, such was the magnetic presence he had in that whole stadium packed with thousands of adoring fans—awash in tears.
They were not just mourning the end of a career but celebrating a legacy of greatness, humility, and an indefatigable will to carry on. Most importantly, he made me stop the treadmill to reach for my hand towel!
Watching this documentary, one of the things that really impressed me was not his records or trophies, but a lot to do with his pure resilience. His is not a story of victories alone, but how he coped with failure, of battles fought on and off the court, and of the dignity with which he accepted his ups and downs. There’s something incredibly motivating in just seeing someone who has achieved so much and yet stays typically human before challenges.
This was an early career filled with promise and frustration: There was talent almost without end, yet he couldn’t parlay that into consistent success. He was emotional; sometimes hot-headed, he oftentimes had moments of self-doubt. But he persisted. Not only did he work on his physical game, but more importantly, his mental strength—formatting his focus, mastering his emotions.
With time, he developed into a player who wasn’t known only for his skills but also for his unwavering composure under pressure.
One of the most captivating moments of his journey was how he dealt with defeat. People generally consider that what defines a great champion is simply the ability to win, but it is not quite so, as turned out in this case with this athlete. In fact, his most defining career moments came at the result of crushing defeats. He never did shy away from them, nor did he make any excuses for them. He reflected upon those defeats and used them as fuel to improve and come back even stronger. He taught a lesson herein: failure is not the end; it’s a propeller towards something greater, only if one has the guts to learn from it.
It showed every year when he took to the court. His dominance was there for everyone to see, a butterfly-like movement around the court that made the game look easy, yet anyone who followed his career knew that with every bit of movement—choreographed and expert in its design—lay a lot of work involved in creating that perfection. He perfects his skills and braces his training with rigid and unyielding discipline off the court, keeping calm with mental clarity, which enables him to focus during moments of great pressure. And as he kept on winning, the world watched in awe—but not only with the volume of titles he accumulated but also, if not more so, with the manner he conducted the game. It was the perfect balance of power and finesse, of aggression and control. But what really stood towering above all else was his sportsmanship: in an uncaring world that was often driven by ego and bravado, he remained humble. Respectful toward his opponents, he admired their skills and accepted victory and defeat alike with dignity.
But no career, however legendary, can extend beyond a certain point. Then, as the years passed, his body started to betray him. The injuries piled up, the length of time taken by him to recover from them increased—and, for the first time, he found himself in alien territory—getting doubted.
Whispers started to say that his time had passed, that the game was moving onto better things without him. But true to character, he didn’t let those doubts define him. Rather, he mounted one of the most remarkable returns to sport in recent history. After years spent fighting injury, he returned to his sport with a newfound sense of purpose, defying both age and expectation.
There comes a point in the documentary when he looks back at this phase of his career, and what he says just rings so deep. He says that after a while, he realized it wasn’t about proving anything to anybody anymore—it was about doing what you loved for as long as you could. And maybe, perhaps, that is one of the most valuable lessons his career gives us: passion is the key to longevity. It is never about approbation or applause when you love doing what you do. It’s all about the fun-game, fascination of challenge, and excellence pursued for its own sake.
The atmosphere in the stadium becomes tense emotionally as, towards the very end, his last match is played.
Fans, other athletes, and even his bitterest opponents are in tears, not just in celebration of his career but, more importantly, the effect that he has had on the game and them as a person. More so than anything sportingly transcendental—legacy, the kind of legacy built not just on wins but on how you carry yourself and treat others, inspiring those around you. And as I sit here thinking about his story, realizing just how appropriate it was that once upon a time, I quoted him in my blog, didn’t know his name then, but obviously, his wisdom had touched me long before. His words and, equally so, his life remind us that greatness is not about the success but about the journey that got us there, the lessons learned, and the people we’d inspire in the process.
Last 12 Days is incredibly emotionally charged documentary and well-narrated by a really great team. By the outstanding director Asif Kapadia—who did award-winning documentaries like Amy and Senna—along with Joe Sabia, this film captures the final moments of this athlete’s illustrious career with depth and sensitivity. Kapadia and Sabia bring out the grandness of this athlete’s achievements and the quiet moments of reflection during his retirement.
The team for production, led by George Chignell and Asif Kapadia, worked endlessly to bring this project into being. Their watchful eyes on the details of this athlete’s personal and professional life really made sure that the documentary on their court legend is a celebration not only of his career but, above all, of an emotional journey into his bid adieu to the sport that he governed for decades.
The film is strikingly beautiful, courtesy of cinematography by Jess Dunlap and Joe Sabia. Their ability to frame both the electric atmosphere of this athlete’s last days of competition, along with the quiet, personal moments between this athlete and his family and peers, added layers of emotion to the narrative. editing, impeccably done by Avdhesh Mohla, seamlessly weaves together the archival footage of this athlete’s career with candid shots of him in his last days into a dynamic, heartfelt viewing experience.
Dario Marianelli’s celebrated evocative score adds the last but not least necessary bits to this documentary underlining the emotional weight of this athlete’s farewell with subtle, yet powerful melodies that just refuse to leave a viewer’s head for so long after the credits roll.
With appearances from this athlete’s closest confidents, including his wife, and tennis legends Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Björn Borg, the 78-minute documentary gives inside into various times of this athlete’s relationships, his impact on the game, and respect he feels for, and has been given from, his peers.
If you haven’t guessed by now, this athlete extraordinaire is none other than Roger Federer. Life’s—and tennis’—legend.
Roger Federer: Last 12 Days isn’t a look merely at the tail end of a career but a celebration for a legacy so well acknowledges, intricately carved together by an exceptional storytelling team.”
Dr. Prahlada N.B
MBBS (JJMMC), MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh).
MBA (BITS, Pilani), MHA,
Executive Programme in Strategic Management (IIM, Lucknow)
Senior Management Programme in Healthcare Management (IIM, Kozhikode)
Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Leadership and Innovation (MIT, USA)
Advanced Certificate in AI for Digital Health and Imaging Program (IISc, Bengaluru).
Senior Professor and former Head,
Department of ENT-Head & Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Cochlear Implant Surgery.
Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India.
My Vision: I don’t want to be a genius. I want to be a person with a bundle of experience.
My Mission: Help others achieve their life’s objectives in my presence or absence!
My Values: Creating value for others.
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Yes Prahlada Sir,
Roger Federer's documentary masterfully captures the bittersweet symphony of a legend's swan song.
As the curtain falls on an iconic career, Federer's gracious demeanor belies the weight of emotions that threaten to overwhelm. Tears flow freely, not from the champion himself, but from those who've witnessed his journey – a testament to the profound impact of his greatness.
This documentary is more than a tribute; it's a tender exploration of the human side of greatness. Federer's vulnerability, as he navigates the twilight of his playing days, exposes the fragility beneath the facade of invincibility.
With each frame, memories come flooding back – triumphs and setbacks, sweat-drenched battles, and fleeting moments of pure joy. The relationships forged, the rivalries that defined him, and the relentless pressure to excel – all converge in a poignant tapestry.
As the documentary unfolds, the audience is enveloped in a mix of nostalgia and melancholy. We're reminded that even the greatest among us must confront mortality, and the impermanence of athletic prowess.
Federer's story transcends sport; it's a universal narrative of love, loss, and legacy. His elegance under duress serves as a reminder that true champions exit the stage with dignity, leaving behind an indelible mark.
This documentary is a love letter to the beauty of human resilience, a testament to the transcendent power of sports to touch hearts and minds.
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