By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, July 4, 2023

The Centre Court roof was closed but Roger Federer practically blew the lid off the place.  

Eight-time Wimbledon champion Federer returned to Centre Court at this time and was showered with one of many longest sustained standing ovations in current reminiscence.

Wimbledon Preview

Wearing a light-weight tan swimsuit, the 41-year-old Swiss celebrity strode down the steps into the Royal Box and absorbed the love from the packed Centre Court crowds. Fans, some sporting the signature "RF" baseball caps, stood with sensible telephones raised.

Soaking within the second, Federer waved to the adoring crowd, touched his coronary heart along with his left hand and gave a kiss to spouse Mirka Federer earlier than greeting Princess Kate. Directly behind Federer, his dad and mom, Robert and Lynette Federer, stood and applauded as tears welled up in his mom's eyes.

Two many years after a younger Federer, sporting dishevelled Nike garments and a ponytail, defeated Mark Philippoussis 7-6(5), 6-2, 7-6(3), he was greeted with a compilation video displaying the magic, recollections and tributes from at this time's gamers, too.

The man who captured 5 consecutive Wimbledon crowns between 2003-2007 appeared to relish his new function as tennis fan.

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Seated between Princess Kate and spouse Mirka, Federer stayed to look at reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in opposition to American Shelby Rogers. The Swiss Maestro chatted with Princess Kate and Mirka all through the opening set of the Rybakina vs. Rogers opener.

Photo credit score: Karwai Tang/Getty

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