Oscar-winner Asif Kapadia is directing a Prime Video documentary about the final days of tennis legend Roger Federer’s career, which was originally intended to be a home movie.
The feature film will chronicle the last 12 days of the career of the man considered by many to be the greatest tennis player of all time.
Amazon said the untitled doc was “originally a home video never intended for public viewing,” which “depicts Federer at his most vulnerable and candid, saying goodbye to the game and the fans who have shaped his life over the past two decades.”
“Initially, the idea was to capture the last moments of my professional tennis career so that I could have them later to show my family and friends,” Federer said.
He added: “During my professional career, I tended to stay away from having cameras around me and my family, especially in important moments. But I didn’t see the harm in shooting this because it was never intended for an audience. However, we captured so many poignant moments, and it turned into a deeply personal journey. I am pleased to partner with Prime Video given its wide global reach and significant presence in the film industry. This ensures that the story of My Final Days in Tennis will resonate with tennis fans and wider audiences around the world.
The Swiss star has won 20 Grand Slams, including eight Wimbledon Championships, and is third on the all-time list behind Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. He was beloved as a player for his silky style and “gentlemanly” manner.
Kapadia won the 2016 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for his film Amy About singer Amy Winehouse, and he also made films about sports stars such as Diego Maradona, Ayrton Senna and Cristiano Ronaldo. Joe Sabia will co-direct Federer’s untitled doc, which is produced by Kapadia’s Lafcadia Productions. The film is produced by Kapadia and George Chennell
Since moving into the sports rights game, Amazon has produced a wealth of documents on the likes of Wayne Rooney, Andy Murray and England cricket captain Ben Stokes, collaborating with major film directors such as Sam Mendes.