Roger Federer revealed a nickname he earned in his younger years: Mr. Emotional.
The 37-year-old Swiss concedes since his junior days he's frequently broken down in tears following painful defeats.
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Seeing world No. 2 Naomi Osaka cut short her post-match presser on the verge of tears following her Wimbledon opening-round exit brought back memories for Federer, who says it takes time to mourn loss.
"It was a very emotional press. I understand," Federer said. "I was Mr. Emotional, so... I come from that same side. I would cry after losing matches throughout my junior years. Some take it harder. Some take it more relaxed. Some take hours to get over it. Some take days."
The eight-time Wimbledon winner's advice for coping with emotional loss: Take time for tears.
Federer says crying can be cathartic and urges players to unleash the emotional water works during extended showers and have a good cry before meeting the media.
"I just feel like when you lose at a tournament like Wimbledon, it means the world to you, super important, you're so, so down, so sad, take two hours if you have to, take four hours, I don't care," Federer said after his opening-round win over Lloyd Harris. "Go back, come back. I don't know what you do. Take a super shower. Leave all the tears in the locker room.
"Once you come here (to the interview room), you feel like you get it done. I don't know how much time they took, but I just feel like maybe taking extra time when you're young, when you're so sad, which can be the case, is maybe the way to go. I'm not sure. I just felt also it was quite rough for them, which is not nice to see."
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