Roger Federer Admits His First Crush Was Not Mirka

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Vivek Devane | Last updated Sep 25, 2025 3:30 AM ET

Roger Federer may have retired from professional tennis, but the Swiss legend continues to live life to the fullest. Recently, Federer teamed up with Nigerian singer and songwriter Burna Boy for a collaboration with the sports shoes and apparel company ON. The meeting between the two global icons quickly turned into a lighthearted exchange when a candid Q&A revealed some amusing personal confessions.

When asked about his first-ever crush, Federer surprised fans by naming none other than Cindy Crawford, the world-renowned American supermodel and entrepreneur.

“Cindy Crawford was huge in our time growing up. Yeah, never met her,” Federer admitted with a smile.

Federer, who is now happily married to his long-time partner Mirka with whom he shares four children, also empathized with Burna Boy’s revelation that he never got the chance to meet his own childhood crush, singer Kelly Rowland. “I feel the pain [of not meeting your crush],” Federer quipped, drawing laughs from the crowd.

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Crawford, widely regarded as one of the original supermodels of the late 1980s, is known for her trailblazing career that extended beyond the runway into acting, producing, and launching successful fitness ventures like her Shape Your Body video series.

While Federer’s answer sparked amusement, it also added to the growing list of candid and charming anecdotes the 20-time Grand Slam champion has shared since stepping away from the court. His exchange with Burna Boy underscored Federer’s easygoing personality and ability to connect with people far beyond the world of tennis.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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