WORLDVIEW: Strategic secret behind Federer’s surprising triumph – SA genes also helped.

In an alternative universe, South Africa would be celebrating the remarkable Wimbledon victory of Swiss superstar Roger Federer. Tennis's ageing war horse is the son of the Kempton Park-born lass Lynette Durand (65) who, in the 1960s and 1970s, starred on Joburg's netball and hockey fields and still plays a serious game of golf.

Lynette met Roger's father, Swiss native Robert, who made a trip to SA when he was 24. He stayed to court his future bride whom he married in 1973. They later moved to his homeland where their children Diana (1979) and the champion Roger (1981) were born.

Robert freely admits his son's athletic abilities were inherited from the South African genes. For his part, Roger credits much of his success to his mother's encouragement and the family's frequent trips to SA where his Foundation sponsors creches for underprivileged children in Limpopo.

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