Roger Federer was back at Wimbledon this year, however — not as a participant, of course, but more for the centenary celebration of center court on Sunday — and he reiterated his desire to attempt a return to competition in 2023.
“I was just trying to be successful here and represent my sport well. I hope that’s what I did,” said the Swiss, who set a men’s record with 8 of his 20 Grand Slam titles at the All England Club, on Sunday, and was given a standing ovation by the spectators for the occasion. “And hopefully I’ll be back…for one last lap,” he added.
Rather than don the legendary mandatory white attire, Federer donned a dark suit and wore the tie, with his Wimbledon membership number pinned to the lapel of his jacket. The Swiss, who turns 41 on August 8, has been sidelined for a year with knee problems.
He was one of around 20 former champions of the major grass-court tournament who marched onto Center Court in a 35-minute ceremony on the ground opened in 1922.
“I was lucky to have been able to play so many matches on this court. It’s strange to be here today in a different role, said Federer, who had played in the tournament every year since entering the main draw in 1999. But it’s good to be here… with all these champions. This court has given me my biggest wins, and my biggest losses. »
He played his last match on July 7, 2021, a 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-0 loss on center court against Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals. Soon after, Federer went under the knife to have his meniscus and cartilage repaired in his right knee — his third operation in just 18 months.
Federer has previously indicated that he plans to return to competition at the Swiss indoor tournament in October. “I miss being here. I would have loved to participate [au tournoi]. I knew when I left the field here last year that the following year would be difficult. I didn’t think it would take so long to make my return to competition. But my knee gave me a lot of trouble,” he told the crowd.
Among the former champions who are still in contention this year for the conquest of the precious trophy were Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep in singles, as well as Venus Williams in mixed doubles.
Notable absences include three of the tournament’s winningest players: Martina Navratilova
(COVID-19), Serena Williams and Pete Sampras. Navratilova’s nine Wimbledon titles are a record; Williams, who lost in the first round last week, and Sampras, who hung up his racquet in 2002, have won seven times apiece.