"A very personal relationship": If Roger Federer's racquet could talk, what would it say?

In one memorable scene from the 2024 blockbuster tennis film Challengers, Zendaya’s character Tashi Duncan describes a tennis match as a deeply personal “relationship.”

Now, in an exclusive interview with Tennis Channel's Steve Weissman, Roger Federer is opening up about one of tennis’ most “super personal” relationships of all—the one between a player and his racquet.

Read More: Legendary Equipment: Roger Federer unveils groundbreaking RF Collection by Wilson

The former world No. 1 unveiled his own groundbreaking RF Collection by Wilson on Thursday, featuring innovative new racquet frames and an accessories line inspired by the Swiss’ on-court game and off-court style.

"It’s a very personal relationship," Federer says of his signature Wilson racquets. “I’ve always called it an extension of your arm or hand, so it’s super personal."

WATCH: Our full interview with Roger Federer (21:48) ⤵️

That’s not to say every relationship is picture-perfect—especially in tennis.

The racquet may be the player’s most trusted weapon, but it also frequently bears the brunt of mid-match frustrations in solid, carbon-fiber silence.

"Every tennis player knows what I’m talking about," Federer says. "You take care of it, you re-grip it. When you go into a match, you make sure the strings are where you want them to be…

"You try not to break it, you try not to hurt it, but sometimes you get so mad at it and you think it’s the racquet’s mistake—but the racquet knows it’s you."

Anyway, we’ve had a rocky relationship, but I think we’re good friends, so it’s all good!

But if Federer’s racquet could talk, what would it say after witnessing 20 Grand Slam victories, countless broken records, and playing a role in one of the greatest career’s the sport has ever seen?

“I don’t know, I just hope it’d be happy that I picked it up!”