WATCH: Roger Federer gets hero’s welcome on return to Centre Court

Tennis365 04 Jul 2023 5:03 PM

Roger Federer and the Princess of Wales

Roger Federer showed he is still king of Centre Court after a special welcome marked his record-breaking achievements at Wimbledon.

The 41-year-old was back at the scene of his eight titles for the first time since he retired last September and was celebrated in the Royal Box ahead of the start of play on Tuesday.

Federer, who was fresh from appearing on stage with Coldplay in Zurich over the weekend, received a rapturous standing ovation and was visibly moved before taking his seat next to the Princess of Wales.

The Royal Box has been set aside for members of the Royal Family for 101 years. On Tuesday, the Royal Family was represented by HRH The Princess of Wales, who wore a mint-green blazer and a white skirt with pleats reminiscent of a tennis skirt, HRH Prince Michael of Kent, and his daughter Lady Gabriella Windsor, as well as a number of distinguished guests who had been invited by the chairman of the All England Club.

Tennis royalty was also there in the shape of King Roger, who was accompanied by his wife Mirka, parents Robbie and Lynette, and other family members on an emotional excursion to commemorate the maestro’s first appearance at the Championships since declaring his formal retirement.

On Centre Court, the stage was set for a unique homage to the player who first landed on these green shores in 1999 and made Wimbledon his personal Grand Slam domain by winning Gentlemen’s Singles championships in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, and 2017.

Federer was introduced as he took his place in the Royal Box, with a film montage of tributes from other players playing in the background. He would be achieving one of his retirement goals: taking afternoon tea on the Wimbledon terrace, which would prompt a standing ovation, lengthy whoops of appreciating delight, tears of emotion, and warm laughter rippling across Centre Court.

A legend returns.

The Centre Court crowd rises for eight-time #Wimbledon champion @RogerFederer pic.twitter.com/0edGz3ncmZ

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2023

Natalie Rushdie, a jazz vocalist with classical training, and soprano Danielle de Niese, who is married to Gus Christie, the Executive Chairman of Glyndebourne opera, were both spotted today in the Royal Box.

The celebration did threaten to upstage Elena Rybakina, the defending women’s champion who began her title defence against American Shelby Rogers.

It was the first of three scheduled matches on the main show court on day two of the Championships, with two-time winner Andy Murray taking on fellow Briton Ryan Peniston later.

Top men’s seed Carlos Alcaraz was in action under the roof on Court One but play elsewhere was suspended due to rain in SW19.