[1/2] Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 4, 2023 Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer stands alongside Catherine, Princess of Wales during a presentation on centre court to honour his achievements REUTERS/Toby MelvilleLONDON, July 4 (Reuters) - Retired Swiss great Roger Federer made a surprise appearance on his favourite stage to the delight of Centre Court ticket holders at Wimbledon on Tuesday.
Federer, whose 20 Grand Slam singles titles include a record eight at Wimbledon and who many regard as the greatest player of all time, retired last year at the age of 41.
With his long-time rival Rafa Nadal also absent this year as he tries to regain his fitness and Serena Williams also retired, Wimbledon is missing some of its favourite players.
But even without his racket, Federer had the Centre Court crowd drooling during a short video presentation played on the scoreboards before defending women's favourite Elena Rybakina took to the court for her opening match.
The film captured Federer's glittering Wimbledon career, from his first title in 2003 to his last in 2017.
Persons:
Roger Federer, Catherine , Princess of, Toby Melville LONDON, Federer, Rafa Nadal, Serena Williams, Elena Rybakina, Mirka, Wales, Martyn Herman, Ed Osmond
Organizations:
Lawn Tennis, Croquet Club, Wimbledon, Court, Thomson
Locations:
London, Britain, Swiss