 Federer was raised as a Roman Catholic and met Pope Benedict XVI while playing the 2006 <unk> <unk> d 'Italia tournament in Rome . Like all male Swiss citizens , Federer was subject to compulsory military service in the Swiss Armed Forces . However , in 2003 he was ruled " unsuitable " and was subsequently not required to fulfill his military obligation . Instead , he served in the civil protection force and was required to pay 3 % of his <unk> income as an alternative . He grew up supporting F.C. Basel and the Swiss National Football Team . Federer also credits the range of sports he played as a child — he also played <unk> and basketball — for his hand @-@ eye coordination . 
