Federer cracks joke over Wimbledon gaffe as retired star in ‘demand’

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Roger Federer cracked a joke over his recent gaffe at Wimbledon after revealing that a security guard failed to let him in when he turned up at the All England Club recently without his membership card. The 41-year-old collected an honorary accolade at the Swiss sports awards and poked fun at the incident while also revealing he was even busier now he was retired.

Federer retired just under three months ago after releasing an emotional statement admitting that he had to listen to his body and stop playing tennis professionally. Following a 14-month hiatus, the former world No 1 returned for one last dance at the Laver Cup where he played his final match in the doubles alongside Rafael Nadal. 

The 20-time Grand Slam champion has made limited public appearances since but is apparently busier than ever as he revealed he had even more “demands” after hanging up his racket. Federer received the honorary award from Federal Councilor Viola Amherd at the Swiss sports awards on Sunday and discussed life after tennis after being pleasantly surprised with his retirement.

“I have always been supported by my country, and that has really counted in my career. I’ve always been thrilled to get those seven Sportsman of the Year titles here. And to be celebrated again today fills me with joy,” the 41-year-old told the crowd as he collected his latest award.

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“I’m happy to have made the transition after my retirement. It was something I was dreading. But it went better than I thought.” And Federer was keeping busy without tennis in his life, admitting he was even more in demand now he was no longer an active player.

He continued: “There’s more going on since I’m not playing tennis any more, and especially I don’t have any excuses to turn down an invitation anymore. I can no longer say that I have a match, a training session, an injury, a rehab to do. As a result, the demands are greater than when I was active.”

And after the ceremony, the eight-time Wimbledon champion joked about one of his recent post-retirement outings when he attempted to get into the All England Club and was denied access by a security guard who wouldn’t let him in without his membership card. “Unlike at Wimbledon, at least I was let in here without any problems,” Federer  laughed during a post-ceremony interview with Blick TV.

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The 103-time title winner told the full story during his recent appearance on The Daily Show, saying: “I’ve not been there before when the tournament is not on, so I drive up to the gate, I go and speak to the security lady and say, ‘Hello, I’m just wondering how I can get into Wimbledon’, and she asked about a membership card. When you win Wimbledon, you become a member automatically.

“I had no idea where mine was, so I said no [I don’t have one on me], but she insisted that I had to be a member. I told her I am a member and normally, when I’m here, I’m playing. She tells me the same thing, so I look at her one last time and tell her, ‘I have won this tournament eight times. Please believe me; I am a member!’”

But the Swiss star eventually made it inside, adding: “I went around to a different gate, and one of the security guards asked me for a selfie. I was like, ‘yes!’ Finally, they let me in, and I thought about giving a wave to the person who didn’t let me in, but I didn’t do it.”

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