## “I couldn’t believe it”: Roger Federer’s Truly Bizarre Bovine Gift
**”I couldn’t believe it,”** Roger Federer chuckled, recalling the moment that left even the Swiss maestro utterly speechless. The setting wasn’t Centre Court Wimbledon, but the inaugural Laver Cup in Prague, September 2017. Team Europe, featuring legends like Federer, Rafael Nadal, and rising stars Alexander Zverev, was deep in preparation. Suddenly, the atmosphere in the locker room shifted from focused intensity to bewildered amusement.
The door swung open, and the source of the commotion became clear: **a living, breathing, brown-and-white dairy cow named Julietta**. Accompanied by her farmer owner and adorned with a garland of flowers around her neck, Julietta was presented as a unique gift to Federer from the local organizers. The symbolism? A playful nod to Switzerland’s renowned dairy heritage and Federer’s status as a national icon – literally bringing a piece of “home” to him in the Czech Republic.
The sight was utterly surreal. Picture the scene: elite athletes, accustomed to trophies and rackets, momentarily stunned by the presence of a large farm animal in their midst. Rafa Nadal’s characteristic grin widened into near-disbelief. Sascha Zverev, towering over most, seemed momentarily dwarfed by the sheer unexpectedness. Federer himself approached Julietta with a mix of caution and incredulous delight. “I was like, ‘What’s going on here?!’” he later recounted. The cow, perhaps the calmest being in the room, munched placidly on hay, oblivious to the star power surrounding her.
This wasn’t just a fleeting photo op. Federer, ever the gracious champion, embraced the absurdity. He posed patiently, gently patted Julietta, and even humorously noted her impressive size. The gift came with more than just the cow; Federer received official ownership papers and a promise that Julietta would live out her days peacefully on her original farm near Prague. He later revealed he had checked in on her well-being, ensuring she was thriving.
The bizarre nature of the gift lay in its sheer incongruity. For a man who had received countless crystal trophies, luxury watches, and bespoke memorabilia over his storied career, a live farm animal presented mid-tournament was unprecedented. It defied the usual script of sporting accolades. Yet, it perfectly captured the Laver Cup’s nascent spirit – a blend of intense competition and lighthearted camaraderie among rivals turned teammates.
Federer’s reaction transformed the bizarre into the memorable. His genuine astonishment (“I couldn’t believe it”) followed by his characteristic charm and acceptance turned Julietta into an instant legend of the Laver Cup folklore. It was a moment that transcended tennis, reminding everyone that even the greatest champions can be rendered speechless by the utterly unexpected – especially when it comes with four legs, a wet nose, and a taste for hay. Julietta became more than a gift; she became a hilarious, heartwarming symbol of the unexpected joys found even at the pinnacle of professional sport.