Federer stamps his mark on Switzerland

BASEL – World tennis number one Roger Federer on Tuesday became the first living Swiss person to have his picture enshrined on a postage stamp.

“It’s a great moment. I’m proud to be a symbol like the army knife or the mountains,” Federer said at an unveiling ceremony for the Swiss postal service in the 25-year-old’s home region of Basel.The new 1.00 Swiss franc (0.61 euros, 0.82 dollars) stamp depicts a smiling Federer holding his trophy at Wimbledon after one of four victories there.Switzerland, an Alpine federal republic which only has a ceremonial presidency that changes every year and no royal family, has traditionally shunned personalities on its postage stamps except historical figures.”If you can come up with any Swiss personality who can equal Roger Federer’s prestige, in any domain, I’m ready to follow you,” said Swiss Post’s chief executive Ulrich Gygi.Federer, who has won ten Grand Slams among his 47 singles titles since turning pro in 1998, has suffered premature exits from two events since the postage stamp was announced late February, ending a 41-match winning streak.Nampa-AFPI’m proud to be a symbol like the army knife or the mountains,” Federer said at an unveiling ceremony for the Swiss postal service in the 25-year-old’s home region of Basel.The new 1.00 Swiss franc (0.61 euros, 0.82 dollars) stamp depicts a smiling Federer holding his trophy at Wimbledon after one of four victories there.Switzerland, an Alpine federal republic which only has a ceremonial presidency that changes every year and no royal family, has traditionally shunned personalities on its postage stamps except historical figures.”If you can come up with any Swiss personality who can equal Roger Federer’s prestige, in any domain, I’m ready to follow you,” said Swiss Post’s chief executive Ulrich Gygi.Federer, who has won ten Grand Slams among his 47 singles titles since turning pro in 1998, has suffered premature exits from two events since the postage stamp was announced late February, ending a 41-match winning streak.Nampa-AFP