Roger Federer inspiring Commonwealth Games star Adam Peaty as Brit aims for gold
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
There's barely an elite swimming competition in the world in which Adam Peaty is yet to win a gold medal, having dominated his field for the past eight or so years. With talent like that, top athletes need to look to other elite specimens for inspiration, and Peaty has picked tennis legend Roger Federer as the example he hopes to follow.
The three-time Olympic gold medal-winner is currently on the comeback trail after a foot injury forced his absence from the recent FINA World Aquatics Championships. Unable to defend any of his three golds (and one bronze) won at Gwangju 2019, Peaty had to look elsewhere for distraction.
That incuded an appearance at the Royal Box early on in this year's Wimbledon Championships, where Federer was also sidelined as he chases a long-awaited return. More than four years have passed since the 20-time major champion last won a Grand Slam, but to Peaty, the Swiss star still sets the bar in terms of longevity and sporting success.
“I’m inspired by all the top players but Roger Federer is the one where I think he’s just class, isn’t he?” Peaty told the Evening Standard. “The way he comes across, how he performs, his attitude in the sport, that’s someone you want to look up to, you get to your late 30s or early 40s still doing your sport then why not."
