King Of Wimbledon Federer Returns To Centre Court

Roger Federer
Roger Federer (photo: Roger Federer/Instagram video)

WIMBLEDON/WASHINGTON, July 5, 2023 (by Michael Dickens)

Roger Federer holds the record for the most Wimbledon men’s singles titles – eight. Although it is a mark that very likely will be equaled at the conclusion of this British fortnight by seven-time champ Novak Djokovic, the defending champion who began his campaign on the right note with a solid victory on opening day Monday, on Tuesday all eyes and focus were on the 41-year-old Swiss maestro. Federer was visiting The Championships for the first time since his retirement from tennis last September.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion took his place alongside Catherine, Princess of Wales, who is the royal patron of the All England Club, in the Royal Box for the afternoon. They were joined by Federer’s wife, Mirka, and his parents, Robert and Lynette. Prior to his grand entrance, fans were treated to a special tribute video from fellow players that honored Federer’s eight Wimbledon crowns. Then, the Centre Court audience gave the Wimbledon king a 90-second standing ovation. Fighting back tears of emotion, the dapperly-attired Federer, wearing a khaki-colored suit, a blue and white pin-striped shirt and a polka-dot tie, seemed truly touched by the outpouring of applause. He waved at the appreciative crowd, mouthing “thank you“ repeatedly.

Few moments of sunshine on a soggy day

As the start of the 2023 Wimbledon fortnight went from damp to downright soggy in just 24 hours – Tuesday’s order of play was saved only by the matches played on Centre Court and No. 1 Court – there were a few moments of sunshine to be found at the All England Club.

First, Tunisia’s self-anointed Minister of Happiness Ons Jabeur, who last summer became the first Arab and African player to appear in a Grand Slam final, improved her lifetime mark at SW19 to 12-5 with a straight-sets win over No. 70 Magdalena Frech of Poland that contained plenty of “cool shots” – lobs, drop shots and slices – just the right amount of rainy-day color and entertainment.

“It always feels so great to come back here,” the sixth-seeded Jabeur, 28, said in her on-court interview after winning 6-3, 6-3. “My creativity reflects my character. I hate routine. I like to entertain the crowd with some cool shots.”

Jabeur’s victory moved her one round closer to this year’s Wimbledon final and a chance to erase the memory of last year’s 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 title loss to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, who was playing on Centre Court at the same time Jabeur was holding forth on No. 1 Court.

“I just want to use that experience, use the pressure that I felt last year, to maybe do better this year. That’s how Grand Slams work,” Jabeur said in her pre-tournament press conference. “You need a good draw from here, a nice match from here, you fight from there, and see what’s going to happen. My first goal here is to really enjoy playing on grass, maybe create greater memories like last year or the year before.”

Rybakina shines in front of British and tennis royalty 

Speaking of Elena Rybakina, the 24-year-old soft-spoken defending champion fired 12 aces en route to an impressive 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over No. 49 Shelby Rogers of the United States on Centre Court before an audience that included The Princess of Wales and eight-time Wimbledon men’s champion Roger Federer, who was honored in a pre-match ceremony. The two sat together in the Royal Box.

“The atmosphere and the attention to be on Centre Court, it’s different from last year, because last year I started on a smaller court. With every match I was playing better and better, feeling better,” Rybakina said in her post-match press conference.

“Here it’s different. Straightaway you go to this big court. For me, it’s now a new chapter and this is something I need to get used and try to maintain my level.”

Rybakina was quick to admit that playing in front of Federer proved to be challenging. “Maybe that’s why I was nervous because actually I really like Roger. When I was younger, I was always watching him play,” she said.

“It was really special. The year after [winning the final], to be again on the court.”

Alcaraz plays up to his top-seed billing

Men’s top seed Carlos Alcaraz of Spain struck 10 aces and hit 38 winners – living up to his top-seed-billing – and ended the singles career of French veteran Jeremy Chardy, 6-0, 6-2, 7-5, on No. 1 Court with the roof closed.

Afterward, Alcaraz was bubbling with enthusiasm. “It’s really beautiful to play here. I have really great memories from last year playing on these courts, at this tournament,” he said.

“I’m really happy to have a lot of people supporting me not only in Spain, but around the world. I’m a really lucky guy, to live this kind of experience, to experience this kind of love in every country where I go.”

Later, during his press conference, Alcaraz was asked if he had a chance to catch up with the eight-time Wimbledon singles champion Roger Federer. Flashing a smile, he replied: “After the match I was with the phone checking everything I have, all the stories, all the posts. I saw that Roger Federer was here. I was a little bit jealous. Honestly, I want Roger Federer to watch one of my matches, obviously. I wish to talk a little bit with him. For me would be amazing. I hope to see him around more than once.”

Murray shakes off nerves, receives claps from Federer

Coming into his first-round match against 268th-ranked Ryan Peniston, former Wimbledon champ Andy Murray was never in any serious danger against his fellow British competitor. Murray won handily, 6-3, 6-0, 6-1, in an economical two hours and a minute on Centre Court to advance against either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Dominic Thiem, whose match was suspended by rain outside on No. 2 Court and will be resumed on Wednesday.

“I was quite nervous at the beginning,” Murray admitted. “Coming out, I wanted to play well but I started off a little bit tentatively. But once I got the break in that first set, I thought I played some good stuff as the match went on. There were some good signs there.”

Murray continued: “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt physically this good coming into Wimbledon, which is really, really positive. The last few years have been very challenging so I’m hoping I’m fit and ready for a good run.”

Then, with a flicker of an impish smile, the 36-year-old Murray said: “It’s amazing to have some royalty here, but also some tennis royalty as well.” He referenced not only The Princess of Wales but also eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer.

“Last time I was on this court and he was watching, it was the Olympics and he sat in Wawrinka’s box supporting against me. So, it’s nice to see a couple of claps today after some good shots.”

From bitter rivals to beloved friends to survivors

Washington Post sports columnist Sally Jenkins has written an extraordinary essay that chronicles the history of the Chris Evert–Martina Navratilova rivalry that morphed into a lifelong friendship among the Hall of Famers. Today, they are both cancer survivors.

By the numbers

• At the 2019 Wimbledon, then No. 64 Iga Swiatek lost in the first round. Since then, the four-time major champion has never lost a set in a Grand Slam first round match. After her 6-1, 6-3 win over Zhu Lin on Monday afternoon, the World No. 1 has won 30 consecutive sets.

• According to Wimbledon operations director Michelle Dite, Monday’s opening day attendance reached 42,815, the largest crowd since 2015 and up from 36,603 last year.

• Because rain suspended or cancelled all matches except those on Centre Court and No. 1 Court, on Wednesday there will be a total of 87 matches (45 men and 42 women) on the order of play. This includes: 69 first round (35 men and 24 women) and 18 second round (10 men and eight women). There are five first-round matches from Monday (one men and four women) that will finally get on court.

“Quotable …”

“I don’t feel that I’m the best of my generation. I mean, [Jannik] Sinner is there. [Holger] Rune, as well. They are playing a great level. I mean, it’s 1-0 head-to-head against Rune. I mean, he’s up on me right now. Great matches with Jannik.

“I don’t feel at the time I’m the best in my generation. There are a lot of great players in my age that each are there right now. We are going to share great moments.”

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, from his press conference Tuesday after defeating Jeremy Chardy of France, 6-0, 6-2, 7-5, on No. 1 Court.

 

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