Wimbledon to pay tribute to legend Roger Federer with centre court ceremony

The extraordinary career of tennis icon Roger Federer, an eight-time Wimbledon champion, will be commemorated with a special ceremony on Centre Court. Scheduled before the start of play at approximately 13:15 BST, the Swiss maestro, who retired from the sport last year, will be honoured for his remarkable achievements.

Roger Federer, now 41 years old, etched his name in Wimbledon's history by capturing five consecutive titles from 2003 to 2007, in addition to his triumphs in 2009, 2012, and 2017. His final victory at the tournament surpassed Pete Sampras' longstanding record of seven men's singles titles, solidifying Federer's status as one of the all-time greats.

Sally Bolton, the chief executive of Wimbledon, expressed the significance of the ceremony, emphasising the intention to pay tribute to Federer as the record holder for the most gentlemen's singles titles in the tournament's history. "We will take a moment to celebrate his extraordinary accomplishments and express our gratitude for all the cherished memories he has provided," she remarked.

Regrettably, Serena Williams, a seven-time women's singles champion and retired player, was also invited to the ceremony but was unable to attend due to her ongoing pregnancy. Bolton extended her best wishes to Williams for a healthy pregnancy and expressed hope to welcome her back to Wimbledon in the future.

The forthcoming ceremony at Centre Court will serve as a testament to Roger Federer's unparalleled achievements and his enduring legacy in the realm of tennis. Recognised as one of the sport's greatest ambassadors, his contributions to Wimbledon and the wider tennis community will be honoured in a befitting manner, ensuring that his indelible impact on the sport is remembered for generations to come.