Security guard blocked Federer at Wimbledon 

Many of the world’s greatest tennis players were no match for Roger Federer at Wimbledon but in retirement, he has found an immovable object from an unlikely source: a security guard at the SW19 gate.

Federer, 41, is the record eight-times men’s singles champion at Wimbledon but when he was in London recently to see a doctor about his knee, he could not get in for tea without his membership card. Federer retired from tennis three months ago after his latter years were hampered by a knee injury and it seems absence has not made the heart grow fonder, nor the face more recognisable.

The 20-times grand-slam champion was a guest on US television programme The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, where he told the comedian how he just about avoided resorting to a plea of “Do you know who I am?” before he was finally allowed into the club. At least he didn’t have to join Wimbledon’s fabled Queue and pretend to enjoy it.

 “I didn’t want to tell Wimbledon that I was going to maybe be there,” Federer said. “I didn’t know if I was going to have time to go by the club because I was going to fly home to the family. So the doctor appointment was done. OK, we got two hours to kill. So what are we going to do? Do we head to the airport? Or let’s quickly go have tea at Wimbledon?

“I have not really been at Wimbledon when the tournament is not on. I drive up to the gate, where usually guests come in. I quickly go out and speak to the security lady. ‘Yes, hello, just was wondering how I can get into Wimbledon? Where is the door? Where is the gate?’ And she [says], ‘Do you have a membership card?’ I’m like, ‘Uh, we have one?’ Because when you win Wimbledon, you become a member automatically. Honestly, I don’t know about membership cards. They’re probably at home somewhere. And I’ve just been travelling so I had no idea.

 “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], ‘Yeah, but you have to be a member.’

“I look at her one last time and I’m in a panic now. And I’m so sorry and I couldn’t believe — I still can’t believe I say that because I still feel bad about it. And I’d look at her and say, ‘I have won this tournament eight times, please believe me, I am a member and where do I get in?’ ”

Federer finally made his way into the grounds on the other side when a bystander asked for a selfie, alerting security guards to his presence, and allowing him in without his membership card. “I thought of going over to the other side and giving a wave that I was in,” Federer said. “But I didn’t do it.”

It was a victory for the security guard in straight sets. “I believe she deserves a raise,” Noah said. “She was gangster about it.”