Barossa Tennis connections had the inside running on Roger Federer’s retirement

Bob Carter’s late son Peter helped turn Roger Federer into a champion - and the tennis star has never forgotten.

AS the world woke up to the news that Roger Federer was retiring from international tennis, one bloke in the Barossa already knew.

“I got a message yesterday,” Bob Carter, 87, said.

“It’s a bit disappointing, but he’s had a wonderful, wonderful career.”

The reason Mr Carter was given the inside scoop is thanks to a deep and enduring friendship between the Nuriootpa-based Carter family and the man many consider to be the greatest player of all time, a friendship forged through Mr Carter’s late son Peter.

Peter began working with Federer when the Swiss player was just another talented junior, and according to Federer the Australian coach was fundamental to transforming him into a champion.

The late Peter Carter and tennis legend Roger Federer. Pic: Supplied

Bob Carter, whose late son Peter was one of Federer’s influential early coaches. Picture: Dylan Coker

Peter Carter with protegee Roger Federer. Pic: Keryn Stevens

Tragically Peter was killed in a car accident in South Africa in 2002 aged just 37, a loss that hit Federer extremely hard.

The champion credits Peter with giving him the grounding in technique that he would go on to use with such devastating effect, winning 20 Grand Slam titles and eight Wimbledon trophies.

“Peter Carter had the biggest impact on me in terms of my technique,” Federer said after his coach’s death.

“When they talk about my effortless style and technique … I was able to perfect it later in my life, but he set the foundation.”

As a mark of respect for Peter, Federer flew Bob and his late wife Diana to the Australian Open every year, providing them with tickets and accommodation and making them part of his extended team.

“They treated up beautifully well, there’s no doubt about that,” Mr Carter said.

“Him and (wife) Mirka and the team – they made us a part of it and it was wonderful.”

Roger Federer with his 2017 Wimbledon trophy. Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Mr Carter said he thinks that Federer would always be remembered for the way he conducted himself on the court.

“His manner and the way he goes about things, he’s marvellous,” he said.

“I think his manner will be high on the list of his legacy, but also his overall game – he had a beautiful, smooth perfect game. He has always been a gentleman, and I’m very proud of him.”

When asked if he could see any elements of Peter’s style in the way Federer plays today, Mr Carter is typically modest.

“Oh, I don’t like to say … but perhaps in his backhand,” he conceded.

“But Roger has his own style.”

Mr Carter said he planned to stay in contact with Federer after his retirement.

“I’d like to think we’ll stay in touch,” he said, “we’ve kept in touch all this time.”

Another South Australian praising Federer was US Open and Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt.

Hewitt, who played Federer 27 times with nine wins, said the Swiss champ deserved every accolade he got.

“He was the greatest of that time and our era,” Hewitt said.

“But most of all he’s been a great ambassador for our sport. He deserved to go out on his terms. For him to play one more Wimbledon would have been special, but when you get to his age, it’s not easy. He’s done everything in the sport he could ever dream of.”

Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Federer after Federer won the men's final of the US Open in 2004. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)