Tennis icon Roger Federer has declared he hopes to make another on-court appearance at Wimbledon after the Swiss star headlined the Champions’ Parade.
British superstar and three-time major winner Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe were among the 26 former champions on parade on the first official and permanent Middle Sunday. Federer – an eight-time singles champion – received a spine-tingling standing ovation as he took to the grass last during the 100th anniversary celebrations of Centre Court.
The Swiss favourite has been out of action for some time with a knee injury which he hopes to recover from later this summer. He has not hit a tennis ball in competition since he lost to Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon 12 months ago.
However, Federer vowed to return to Centre Court and play on the iconic grass one more time in his illustrious career. While decked out in a suit with white trainers, the 40-year-old said: “I’ve been lucky enough to play a lot of matches on this court.
“It feels awkward to be here in a different type of role. It's great to be here with all the other champions. This court has given me my biggest wins and my biggest losses.
“I hope I can come back one more time. I’ve missed it here. I knew walking out here last year, it was going to be a tough year ahead. I maybe didn’t think it was going to take this long to come back – the knee has been rough on me.
“It’s been a good year regardless of tennis. We're happy at home. I didn’t know if I should make the trip but I’m happy standing here right now.”
Federer’s great rival and close friend Nadal took his place during the celebrations while donning his white Wimbledon tracksuit. The Spaniard is chasing the Calendar Slam after winning the Australian Open and triumphing on the Parisian clay at Roland Garros.
The 35-year-old defeated Botic van de Zandschulp to book a quarter-final contest against American star Taylor Fritz. Nadal recently admitted he very recently contemplated retiring from the game.
“A couple of weeks ago I was close to [retirement],” the 22-time Grand Slam champion said. “Now I don't feel that way. That's my philosophy.
“I never had fear about that day. I think I am happy that I had a very happy life outside of tennis, even if tennis is a very important part of my life for the last 30 years.
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“I have been happy outside of tennis, without a doubt. I have a lot of things that I like to do away from tennis, so I am not worried about that.”
The celebrations were completed as BBC presenter Sue Barker was reduced to tears as colleague McEnroe saluted her coverage, with those in attendance on Centre Court applauding her. Serena Williams, seven-time winner Pete Sampras and defending champion Ashleigh Barty were among the leading names who were absent from the ceremony.
It is not unknown if retired Russian star Maria Sharapova – who won Wimbledon in 2004 aged just 17 – was invited amid the political tensions following Vladimir Putin ’s military invasion of Ukraine.
