<div>He is inarguably the greatest tennis player of all time but what makes Roger Federer, a reverred sportsperson, a legend is his "warmth and care" for colleagues, which even touched Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza's life on a couple of occasions.<br /><br />In her autobiography 'Ace against Odds', Mirza mentions about three separate incidents about the 17-time Grand Slam singles champion when he inquired about her well-being after being dragged into unnecessary controversies.<br /><br />In 2008, a case was registered against Sania for allegedly disrespecting Indian national flag with her feet up in the players' box while watching teammate Rohan Bopanna play.<br /><br />Sania recalls in her book: "When the case was filed against me for alleged disrespect to the national flag, Roger Federer was among first to inquire about the situation and welfare when I reached Melbourne for the Australian Open."<br /><br />That was not the only time Federer inquired about Sania's well-being, as he did the same after the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai.<br /><br />Sania writes: "He (Federer) also surprised me many months later with a message of concern when Mumbai was tragically struck by terrorist attacks on November 26, 2008. I think this is what makes Roger very, very special because apart from being a legend, a genius and the greatest ever exponent of his craft, he remains warm, caring, accessible, untouched by fame, and a thorough gentleman."<br /><br />While these were a couple of touching gestures, there was a hilarious incident which indirectly involved Federer.<br /><br />During the 2007 Wimbledon, Sania was joined by her childhood friend Rucha Naik and a funny incident took place. Sania fondly recalls that in her book.<br /><br />"My best friend from school, Rucha Naik, had joined me for the grass court season in England and it was fun to have her around. She was graduating with a degree in fashion marketing from the University of Lancaster. Rucha was no sports enthusiast and had very little interest or knowledge of tennis, but she was a friend, I loved and cared for. Perhaps that's why she is one of my best friends.<br /><br />"I cannot forget the first time she came into the Players' Lounge at the Wimbledon. Roger Federer walked upto our table at some point and joked with me.<br /><br />"What is this guy's name and who does he think he is?" Rucha said rather indignantly as soon as Roger had left the table," Sania recollects.<br /><br />"'Oh, he is just a nice guy who hangs around here at tournaments and plays a bit of tennis, I said wickedly,'" says Sania remembering the incident.</div>
<div>He is inarguably the greatest tennis player of all time but what makes Roger Federer, a reverred sportsperson, a legend is his "warmth and care" for colleagues, which even touched Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza's life on a couple of occasions.<br /><br />In her autobiography 'Ace against Odds', Mirza mentions about three separate incidents about the 17-time Grand Slam singles champion when he inquired about her well-being after being dragged into unnecessary controversies.<br /><br />In 2008, a case was registered against Sania for allegedly disrespecting Indian national flag with her feet up in the players' box while watching teammate Rohan Bopanna play.<br /><br />Sania recalls in her book: "When the case was filed against me for alleged disrespect to the national flag, Roger Federer was among first to inquire about the situation and welfare when I reached Melbourne for the Australian Open."<br /><br />That was not the only time Federer inquired about Sania's well-being, as he did the same after the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai.<br /><br />Sania writes: "He (Federer) also surprised me many months later with a message of concern when Mumbai was tragically struck by terrorist attacks on November 26, 2008. I think this is what makes Roger very, very special because apart from being a legend, a genius and the greatest ever exponent of his craft, he remains warm, caring, accessible, untouched by fame, and a thorough gentleman."<br /><br />While these were a couple of touching gestures, there was a hilarious incident which indirectly involved Federer.<br /><br />During the 2007 Wimbledon, Sania was joined by her childhood friend Rucha Naik and a funny incident took place. Sania fondly recalls that in her book.<br /><br />"My best friend from school, Rucha Naik, had joined me for the grass court season in England and it was fun to have her around. She was graduating with a degree in fashion marketing from the University of Lancaster. Rucha was no sports enthusiast and had very little interest or knowledge of tennis, but she was a friend, I loved and cared for. Perhaps that's why she is one of my best friends.<br /><br />"I cannot forget the first time she came into the Players' Lounge at the Wimbledon. Roger Federer walked upto our table at some point and joked with me.<br /><br />"What is this guy's name and who does he think he is?" Rucha said rather indignantly as soon as Roger had left the table," Sania recollects.<br /><br />"'Oh, he is just a nice guy who hangs around here at tournaments and plays a bit of tennis, I said wickedly,'" says Sania remembering the incident.</div>