Tim Henman on Roger Federer’s pain and Wimbledon 2020 merchandise

Former British No 1 Tim Henman believes Roger Federer could be the biggest loser following the cancellation of this year’s Wimbledon Championship, with the eight-time champion at the All England Club set to be closing in on his 40th birthday by the time he stands on Wimbledon’s Centre Court next summer.
Federer will toast his 39th birthday in August and with Wimbledon called off due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Swiss grass-court king faces a long wait for another crack at his most successful Grand Slam event.
EXCLUSIVE: Tim Henman on cancelling Wimbledon and what happens next for tennis
Federer lost out to Novak Djokovic in a gripping Wimbledon final last July after he beat his great rival Rafael Nadal in the semi-final, with Henman suggesting the elder statesman of the sport’s Big Three will lament the absence of Wimbledon in this year’s tennis diary.
“In the context of Federer being the oldest by some way, Wimbledon is now 15 months away once again and at this stage of his career, that is a very long way. There will be no-one more disappointed than him that this Wimbledon has been cancelled,” said Henman.
“When you are 38 and will be 39 later this year, it is a long period of time to wait for your favourite tournament. He will be keen to get back out there.
“Normally, when there is a catastrophe, it is a disaster that affects a country or a region if it is an earthquake, a flood or a famine. This has shut down the whole world, so whether you are a tennis player or whatever job you have, it will have a significant impact on you.”
Meanwhile, All England Club committee member Henman has revealed that branded merchandise for Wimbledon 2020 will be available even though the tournament is not going ahead.
“There are towels available for Wimbledon 2020,” he added. “I was speaking to the commercial director and obviously they have got tens of thousands of towels and they are confident that they are going to sell like hot cakes because it is the 2020 Championships that never happened.
“The balls will all be branded up with 2020 on them as well, so we will see what we can do with them. There is a lot of organising to be done on what we can do next and a lot of positive work that will go on from here.”
Listen to the full ‘Tim Henman Changing Room Chat’ in association with Henman Communications here – https://www.henmancom.com/index.php/changing-room-chat/
Follow Kevin Palmer on Twitter @RealKevinPalmer
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu blows past former World No 1 to reach last 16 in Cincy
Emma Raducanu was clearly the better player as she claimed her first win over a top 20 player since her US Open title run.
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray goes down swinging as Cameron Norrie scrapes battle of the Brits
Andy Murray claimed the opening set but Cameron Norrie saved nine break points and downed the former World No 1.
-
US Open
US Open wildcards: Venus Williams and Dominic Thiem handed slots
Williams, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2000 and 2001, will compete at the age of 42.
-
ATP Tour
ATP Race to Turin: How things stand as tour rolls into Cincy
The ATP Race to Turin is getting tight.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal cautious but excited ahead of ATP Tour return
Rafael Nadal says that he ‘has to be careful’.
-
US Open
Gael Monfils’ injury woes continue as he withdraws from US Open
Gael Monfils ruled out of another Grand Slam.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu urged to stick with Dmitry Tursunov by former British No 1: ‘Her tactics were good’
Emma Raducanu and Dmitry Tursunov off to a good start in Cincy.
-
WTA Tour
Simona Halep hits $40m mark in WTA career-prize money earnings, only behind Serena and Venus Williams
A look at where Simona Halep sits on some of the all-time WTA lists.
-
Tennis News
Exclusive – John Lloyd opens up on his broken marriage to Chris Evert
John Lloyd believes his marriage to Chris Evert was doomed to fail as the pair were simply too young and had the eyes of the world on them.
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray vs Cameron Norrie, Rafael Nadal vs Borna Coric: Start times, TV and streaming info
What time will Andy Murray take on Cam Norrie? What about Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios’ matches?