Steve Kerr once turned to Roger Federer for an example of sustained success, but his story has sparked debate among NBA fans. The Golden State Warriors head coach recalled a 2017 meeting in China in which Federer spoke to the team.
However, Kerr’s account did not sit well with everyone as the NBA world offered very different views on Federer’s approach to success.
NBA World Reacts to Steve Kerr’s Roger Federer Story
Kerr recalled that Green asked Federer how he continued to win major titles 20 years after his first. According to Kerr, the Warriors expected Federer to say that he simply worked harder than everyone else. Instead, Federer described a routine centered on tennis, family, and maintaining his physical well-being.
“I get up every morning and I make breakfast for my kids. Then I take them to school and drop them off,” Kerr said on the Empowering Leaders Conference with “Aleda Collective” in September 2025, while describing Federer’s comments to the Warriors roster.
Federer then described practicing for around two hours before having lunch with his wife and spending the evening with his family. The tennis legend told them he could end the day thinking, “Man, that was just a great day.”
For Kerr, that was the lesson. He said Federer’s success was not about ‘outworking everybody,’ but about allowing natural talent to shine through alongside work ethic, family life, perspective, peace, and mindfulness. Kerr summed up the philosophy as ‘perspective, joy, passion, and mindfulness,’ along with daily rituals and experiences.
One fan challenged Kerr’s portrayal of Federer’s routine, writing, “Most of the time Roger was not in Switzerland where his kids go to school. He was traveling as a tennis pro. And he practiced twice a day. So this was a bit of an exaggeration.”
Most of the time Roger was not in Switzerland where his kids go to school. He was traveling as a tennis pro. And he practiced twice a day.
So this was a bit of an exaggeration.— minofopts (@BaptisteTamoul) September 7, 2026
Another took aim at Kerr’s own coaching career, writing, “Kerr is the luckiest coach alive. He had Steph Curry to bail his [expletive] out, and the NBA rule changes for no defense on the perimeter.”
Kerr is the luckiest coach alive. He had Steph Curry to bail his ass out, and the NBA rule changes for no defense on the perimeter.
— BrilliantHoops (@BrilliantHoops) September 7, 2026
A separate reaction brought Kobe Bryant into the discussion, simply stating, “But late Kobe Bryant was opposite.”
Another fan rejected the broader philosophy, arguing that Federer was the best because of his talent. The comment read, “The best tennis player is best even though he doesn’t practice all day every day simply because of TALENT. This is often the case. There’s no need to dress it up in feel good nonsense.”
The best tennis player is best even though he doesn’t practice all day every day simply because of TALENT.
This is often the case.
There’s no need to dress it up in feel good nonsense. https://t.co/XQcsQ5VnP6
— David Orr (@orrdavid) September 7, 2026
One reaction offered a reminder of Kerr’s playing career, saying, “He literally played with Jordan.”
He literally played with Jordan
— Morgan O’Brien (@morganobrien) September 7, 2026
The responses show that while Federer’s story presents one perspective on longevity and success. NBA fans remain divided over how much talent, work ethic, and circumstances each contribute to greatness.
