Wimbledon chairman Ian Hewitt has confirmed that eight-time champion Roger Federer will return to Wimbledon during the Championships this summer as a lifetime honorary member.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion, and arguably the finest ever player on grass, will return to the scene of his greatest triumphs this year as the All England Club gears up to use this summer's tournament as a celebration of the Swiss player's historic career.
It will be the first time Federer has returned to Wimbledon since retiring from the sport last September, and tournament organisers are currently having discussions about how best to honour his great career.
There is a statue of Fred Perry, for example, outside Centre Court. It is expected that something along these lines will be announced either before the start of the tournament, or unveiled over the Wimbledon fortnight.
Ian Hewitt confirmed as much in a statement at the annual Wimbledon spring press conference that took place yesterday.
He is a very great champion. We have a very close association. I am delighted to say that Roger will be making a visit here as a member. He is very welcome any time. And yes, we will be celebrating his achievements in an appropriate Wimbledon way in due course. More to follow.
There had already been wide speculation that Federer may return to the tournament as a commentator or pundit for the BBC, something which has as yet neither been confirmed or denied by Federer, the BBC, or Wimbledon.
What is certain now, however, is that Roger Federer will be present at the tournament this year, in what is likely to be an emotional marking of his stunning grass-court legacy.
It will also be the first Wimbledon since Serena Williams retired at the US Open last summer, and there has already been some rumours that she too will return for a deserved celebration of her incredible career.
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