Roger Federer denied entry into Wimbledon despite plea: “I’ve won this tournament eight times!”
Discover how one of the greatest tennis players of all time found himself in a precarious position after stumbling on a security guard that didn’t recognise him when trying to visit the All England club.
Tennis
20-time Grand Slam champion and tennis great Roger Federer recently revealed he was denied entry to Wimbledon because he was unable to produce a membership card.
Speaking to Daily Show host Trevor Noah, the 41-year-old explained how he was initially rejected from the All England Club by a security guard after hoping to visit while in London two weeks ago.
“The doctor’s appointment was done, I looked at the watch and saw we had two hours to kill, so we thought we could have tea at Wimbledon,” the 2008 Olympic champion began.
“I have not really been at Wimbledon when the tournament is not on, so I drive up to the gate where usually guests come in, where you would arrive and then go up. I get out and tell my coach who was with me at the time, Severin, I tell him I’ll quickly go out and speak to the security lady, I got this.
"But I did not!”
Federer approached the member of security asking if he could enter only to be questioned by the rule-abiding guard if he has a membership card.
All winners of Wimbledon are gifted membership automatically meaning Federer has multiple cards but he did not have his on him at the time:
“I don't know about memebership cards; they're probably at home somewhere. and I've just been travelling so I have no idea. So 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?’ And she says, 'But you have to be a member'.”
After it became clear security wasn’t going to let the Swiss star - one of the most recognisable faces in tennis - into the club with a card, he confessed he told her of his achievements in a bid to be granted access:
“I’m in a panic now, and I feel so bad about this but I look at her and say, ‘I’ve won this tournament eight times. Please believe me, I am a member. Where do I get in?’"
When his final protestation didn’t work Federer and his coach tried another gate where, luck would have it, a fan immediately recognised him. Security guards nearby on the walkway also spotted the recently retired tennis player, prompting a much more welcoming reaction:
“The security guards are there, they’re 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’.”
Once inside, Federer had tea with the club chairman for an hour and even enjoyed popping by the coveted Wimbledon trophy he had lifted eight times in his career.
The superstar, still in a state of awe about his earlier encounter, then admitted a cheeky thought crossed his mind:
“I thought of going over to the other side and giving a wave, that I was in… but I didn’t do it!”
Federer officially announced his retirement from competitive tennis in September. He completed his sport-defining career with 20 Grand Slam singles titles, behind Novak Djokovic (21) and Rafael Nadal (22), Olympic gold in doubles at Beijing 2008 and silver in singles at London 2012.