Federer to play in South Africa, where his mother was born

Roger Federer shakes his he and sounds a bit embarrassed when he's asked why he's never played a tennis match in South Africa until w.

It is, after all, where his mor was born.

"I don't kw what took me so long, to be quite honest," 20-time Grand Slam champion said. “I said, 'It's t possible that I'm on tour for 20 years, I've become player that I have been, and I've never played in South Africa. It's just t OK.' I couldn't live with myself if that happened.”

Federer, a 38-year-old from Switzerland, is planning to finally fill that gap on his rar full resume on Friday, when he and his longtime rival, Rafael Nal, are scheduled to play an exhibition match in Cape Town.

“You kw how it is. Life on tour sometimes is what it is. I couldn't be more excited w that it's actually really happening. I hope I'm going to be really fine to play. I believe I am, but we'll see," Federer said after losing in semifinals at Australian Open, where his movement was hampered by a painful groin muscle.

“Also, that Rafa is willing to do it is exciting, of course, to say least. I kw my parents are very happy, very proud, as well. I'm sure it's going to be very, very special for me on many levels to play re.”

hope is to generate more than $1 million for Roger Federer Foundation, which supports early childhood education in six African countries and Switzerland. Its CEO, Janine Haendel, said foundation alrey has reached more than a million children in its history.

“It will be such an emotional moment for him,” Haendel said about event in South Africa, which also is slated to include an appearance by Bill Gates. “For him, it's really a dream. It's been a project for quite some time."

But this wasn't just about raising — or making — money, Federer said. He wanted to make sure event was accessible for spectators, so 10,000 tickets were available for about $11 each. aim is an attendance of 50,000, which would be largest crowd on record for a tennis match.

That goes along with part of Federer's interest in burnishing his legacy — and that of game he plays.

"Reminding people," he said, “that tennis is a big-time sport.”

He tries to do that in various ways, such as appearances at Oscars or Met Gala or by playing in exhibition matches all over globe.

"Maybe spre word, gospel, a little bit," Federer said. "Go to places I don't usually get a chance to play and maybe also bring tennis where it's t maybe seen as much."