Superstar Roger Federer has not yet given up hope of returning as an active tennis professional after Wimbledon.
It feels “uncomfortable” to be on court in a different role, the 40-year-old Swiss said in a dark suit at a ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of Centre Court at the grass-court classic. “I hope I can come back one more time.” Federer has won the title eight times at Wimbledon.
The 20-time Grand Slam tournament winner underwent a third operation on his right knee last August. The last time he was on court for a match was the quarter-final exit at Wimbledon in July 2021. So far this year, he has confirmed his participation in the Laver Cup at the end of September, the duel between a European team and a world selection, among other things.
“I missed being here,” Federer said. The knee has been hard on him. But it has been a good year at home. The children are doing well, he said.
The event before Jule Niemeier’s round of 16 match against Britain’s Heather Watson at Wimbledon’s largest stadium featured celebrations of many past winners including Björn Borg, Billie Jean King, Rod Laver and also Angelique Kerber. “It’s an honour to be on the court with the absolute legends of our sport who paved the way for our generation,” said Novak Djokovic, who is aiming for his seventh Wimbledon title this year.