While skiing sensation Lindsey Vonn was recovering from the knee surgery that forced her out of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, she decided to partake in a little Twitter Q&A hosted by one Roger Federer. Vonn, an ardent supporter of the 17-time major champion, challenged Federer to ski with her if she could play a little tennis with him.
Federer responded with some good-natured ribbing nearly a year ago, but two days after losing a thrilling five-set Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic, he finally accepted.
Organized by Swiss chocolatier Lindt, one of Federer's chief sponsors, the battle lines were drawn: the two would contest their tennis match on top of a glacier. Coupled with the desire to promote a new Lindt chocolate shop in the area, the Aletsch Glacier in the Swiss Alps proved to be the perfect spot.
In short, Federer's game married Vonn's turf, and the result was breathtaking.
“It was a little bit difficult with the high altitude,” Vonn said in a video interview after the match. “It was something I’ve never done before, being on the mountain and playing tennis. Obviously, I’m in the snow a lot for skiing, but never playing tennis, so it was really cool."
“I think Roger wasn’t expecting me to be that good at tennis. I’m not very good, still, but I had some good shots, and it was good to get a point.”