Roger Federer has teamed up with the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton announces a charity event that will take place in the run-up to the tennis great’s much-anticipated return.
Federer has not played on the ATP Tour since losing in the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2021.
‘ONE LAST TIME’: Ash Barty’s big reveal about Serena Williams
BRUTALLY: Rafa Nadal suffers a major blow after losing in Cincinnati
He then underwent a third operation on his problematic knee and is slowly working his way back up to full fitness to make a comeback.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion will make his comeback at the Laver Cup in September before competing at the ATP event in Basel in October.
But before he returns to the Laver Cup, he will take to the pitch for a charity event with the Duchess of Cambridge.
Federer and Kate will attend the “Laver Cup Open Practice Day” on September 22 for a charity event raising money for disadvantaged and vulnerable children.
Fellow tennis greats Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will also take part before teaming up for Team Europe in the Laver Cup.
The event will raise money for two organizations that Kate is a patron of – Action for Children and the Lawn Tennis Association.
“I’m delighted to announce that this year the Laver Cup is partnering with the Duchess of Cambridge to raise funds for two incredible charities,” Federer tweeted.
“Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you in London!”
Kensington Palace said collaborating with the Laver Cup – which Federer helped create – was Kate’s idea.
The Palace said the Duchess is “passionate about supporting grassroots sport and encouraging young people from all backgrounds to get involved in the sport”.
Kate is Patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club – the organization that hosts Wimbledon each year.
She often presents finalists with trophies at grass Grand Slams and presented Federer with his second-place trophy after his loss to Novak Djokovic in 2019.
The Duchess has previously revealed that Federer is Prince George’s favorite player, while the Swiss maestro and his wife Mirka were guests at Pippa Middleton’s wedding in 2017.
“Roger is my mother’s heartthrob,” Kate once revealed in an interview with the BBC.
“I don’t think she’ll mind if I say that. I think he probably knows that too.”
Table of Contents
Roger Federer returns at the Laver Cup
Led by Bjorn Borg, Europe’s dream squad of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray will take on John McEnroe’s Team World in the fifth edition of the event at London’s O2 Stadium from September 23-25.
It will mark the first time Djokovic will be performing at the event since 2018 when it was held in Chicago, and the first time all four members of the ‘Big 4’ have played together.
The last time Djokovic played was in 2018, Federer was the only other member of the ‘Big 4’ to play, but 2022 will see Team Europe have all four available.
“It’s the only competition where you can play in a team environment with guys you usually play against and join Rafa, Roger and Andy – three of my biggest rivals of all time,” Djokovic said when announcing his participation .
“It will be a truly unique moment in the history of our sport.”
Bidding for a fifth consecutive Laver Cup triumph, Team Europe is unbeaten in the format, having won in Prague 2017, Chicago 2018, Geneva 2019 and Boston 2021.
“I don’t think I could have imagined having these four icons of the sport together in one team,” said Borg.
“I know that just like me, they appreciate the importance of this moment and will be really ready for it.
“Our goal is to win every year. With Rafa, Roger, Andy and Novak in the team, I like our chances.”
Unfortunately for Team World, Nick Kyrgios has announced that he is unavailable and will be returning to Australia to spend some much needed time with his family.
with agencies
click here to sign up for our newsletter with the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.