“I don’t want to move away,” Roger Federer breaks silence on his return to Wimbledon in 2023 which saw him get honored by the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton

Former World No. 1 Roger Federer continues to enjoy his retirement life. As he had promised during his farewell at the 2022 Laver Cup, he has not alienated himself from the sport and makes visits to events whenever possible. 

The 20-time Grand Slam singles title winner last played in a professional singles match at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships. He made it to the quarterfinals but lost to Hubert Hurkacz. The manner of his defeat was much talked about, as he was served a bagel in the third and final set of the match. 

His appearance at Wimbledon proved to end his career, as he underwent multiple surgeries. Despite many attempts at comebacks, he was not fit enough to play anymore. He eventually had to accept his fate and chose to retire at the Laver Cup, playing doubles with his arch-rival and now friend Rafael Nadal as his partner. 

The Swiss maestro was, however, part of Wimbledon’s centenary celebrations in 2022, making a dashing and surprising appearance. He was formally invited to the famous Royal Box of the Center Court in 2023, as he is currently the player with the most singles titles at the All-England Club. 

He attended Andy Murray‘s first-round win over compatriot Ryan Peniston. Seated beside him, along with his wife Mirka, was the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton. The two became the talk of the town soon after, owing to their old friendship and adjacent seats on the Center Court. 

Speaking on his return to one of his favorite venues to play at, the Olympian expressed his desire to stay close to the sport.

I wanted to see how it felt to be a normal person at a tennis tournament. I felt very good. I love this sport and I don't want to move away from it.

Said Roger in the interview with the Swiss daily Suddeutsche Zeitung.

Roger Federer recently became the ‘face’ of protests against ON

Ever since his retirement, Federer has been quite busy with his business side. His co-owned sportswear brand, On Running, has recently come under the firing line of many protests. 

The sports company, which is also endorsed by women’s World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and rising star Ben Shelton, has been accused of underpaying the workers in Vietnam. The demands for fair pay and transparency have been put forth by the protestors.

To show their disapproval of the company’s policy, protestors put on masks with the Swiss icon’s face and covered themselves in paint to symbolize ‘blood’ on the company’s hands. 

In case you missed it:

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• Novak Djokovic’s success and fitness credited to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer by Victoria Azarenka’s trainer

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