Tennis legend Roger Federer has recalled a rather awkward experience during a visit to Wimbledon.
While in London for a doctor’s appointment a fortnight ago, the Swiss maestro decided to stop by the All-England Club for some tea with his coach, when he was met by a security guard at the gates. Despite his best efforts, she would not let him in as he did not have his member’s pass.
Players automatically become Wimbledon members once they win the coveted trophy. However, the guard did not recognise the 20-time grand slam champion, even when he reluctantly mentioned he had won the event a record eight times. Recalling the story during an appearance on the Trevor Noah Show he said: "When you win Wimbledon, you become a member automatically.
“Honestly, I don't know about membership cards, they are probably at home somewhere and I've just been travelling, so I had no idea. I'm like, 'No, I don't have my membership card, but I am a member. I'm just wondering where I can get in'.
"There's (usually) loads of people, and I come in a different way. And this is the first time I'm here while the tournament's not on and I don't know where to get in, so I'm just asking you again where I can get in.” Federer returned to the car and opted to go around the other side of the grounds. Luckily, a fan in a walkway spotted the icon, before encountering some security who were aware of who he was and his achievements at SW19.
Federer added: “I get out of the car and a random person walks in the walkway and said, ‘Oh Mr. Federer I can’t believe you’re here at Wimbledon! Can we take a selfie?’ I’m like, ‘Yes! Let’s take a picture!’ And the security guards that are there are like, ‘Oh my God Mr. Federer, what are you doing here? Do you have your membership card?’”
“I’m like, ‘No I don’t, but is it possible to get in?’ ‘Of course we’ll open the door, let me organise it.’ When finally inside, the Swiss Maestro enjoyed some tea for an hour and went to have a look at the coveted Gentlemen's Singles Trophy. "Nice to see you again,” he wrote on Instagram alongside a snap of the title.
During the chat, Federer revealed great pal and rival Rafael Nadal was one of the first people he told outside of his team that he would be retiring, and asked if he would play one last doubles match with him at the Laver Cup.
“My hope was I could play doubles with Rafa, so I called him up after the US Open. It was a very emotional phone call because it was one of the first times I told somebody outside of my team and my family [about my decision to retire],” he shared.
"I had to call him up and tell him ‘hey Rafa, just before you make any other plans, I would love you to be at the Laver Cup and play maybe one last doubles with me. It would be amazing. Unfortunately, my knee is not good anymore and I think, it’s the end, you know?’”
In reply, Nadal told him: "Okay, oh my god, okay, yeah I will be there whatever it takes." The pair briefly holding while sobbing alongside one another as the tennis world bid Federer farewell will be forever be remembered as one of the most emotional and powerful images in sporting history.
