WIMBLEDON: Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer hasn't given up hope of playing again at the All England Club.
Federer received a standing ovation at a celebration of the centenary of Centre Court.
“I hope I can come back ... one more time,” the 40-year-old Federer said from Centre Court, standing alongside other Wimbledon champions.
Federer's eight Wimbledon titles is a men’s singles record but he is not playing at the grass-court tournament for the first time since his debut in 1999.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t played since losing in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon a year ago in his 22nd appearance in the tournament.
He said he didn't think it would take this long to come back from knee surgery last year. He said: “The knee has been rough on me.”