A gaping hole was left at Wimbledon this week when Roger Federer`s name was missing from the men`s draw for the first time since 1998 but the Swiss great hinted he could be back at his favourite hunting ground when he made a surprise appearance at the All England Club on Sunday.

"This court has given me my biggest wins and my biggest losses. I hope I can come back one more time," a beaming Federer told the 15,000-capacity crowd who hollered in approval.

Wimbledon`s favourite son swapped his usual tennis whites for a dark suit and tie and was given a rousing standing ovation as he joined a number of Wimbledon champions dating back to the 1960s for Centre Court`s centenary celebrations.

The eight-time champion was the last to stride into an arena that had already welcomed the great and good of tennis, including Billie Jean King, Bjorn Borg, Chris Evert, Stefan Edberg, Venus Williams as well as the Swiss`s Big Four rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

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While loud cheers could be heard as the champions paraded into Centre Court one by one, a deafening roar resounded around the vast grounds of the All England Club when the man considered as Wimbledon royalty made an appearance to greet his grateful subjects.

The Swiss has not played a competitive match since bowing out in the quarter-finals of last year`s championships to Hubert Hurkacz, the 6-0 mauling he suffered in the final set still a painful memory. Weeks later he announced he had to undergo yet another operation on his knee and having already celebrated his 40th birthday, there were fears that fans would never again see Federer`s silky racket skills in a competitive arena.

Federer, who turns 41 next month, has only committed to playing at his hometown tournament in Basel and the Laver Cup later this year, but on Sunday he seemed delighted to be back on the stage where, as a long-haired teenager, he made his name by dethroning Pete Sampras.

"I`ve been lucky enough to play a lot of matches on this court. It feels awkward to be here today in a different type of role," said Federer, who completed his outfit by wearing white tennis shoes and a purple Wimbledon membership badge on his lapel.

"It`s great to be here with all the other champions." Twelve months ago, the crowd had been hushed into an uncomfortable silence as Federer`s game fell apart in spectacular fashion.

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As the Swiss exited left, even he did not know if his ageing body would allow him to come back and compete at the spiritual home of lawn tennis again.

"I`ve missed it here. I knew walking out here last year, it was going to be a tough year ahead. I maybe didn`t think it was going to take this long to come back -- the knee has been rough on me," added the 20-time Grand Slam champion who has had multiple knee surgeries.

"It`s been a good year regardless of tennis... I`m happy standing here right now."

A gaping hole was left at Wimbledon this week when Roger Federer`s name was missing from the men`s draw for the first time since 1998 but the Swiss great hinted he could be back at his favourite hunting ground when he made a surprise appearance at the All England Club on Sunday.

A gaping hole was left at Wimbledon this week when Roger Federer`s name was missing from the men`s draw for the first time since 1998 but the Swiss great hinted he could be back at his favourite hunting ground when he made a surprise appearance at the All England Club on Sunday. "This court has given me my biggest wins and my biggest losses. I hope I can come back one more time," a beaming Federer told the 15,000-capacity crowd who hollered in approval. Wimbledon`s favourite son swapped his usual tennis whites for a dark suit and tie and was given a rousing standing ovation as he joined a number of Wimbledon champions dating back to the 1960s for Centre Court`s centenary celebrations. The eight-time champion was the last to stride into an arena that had already welcomed the great and good of tennis, including Billie Jean King, Bjorn Borg, Chris Evert, Stefan Edberg, Venus Williams as well as the Swiss`s Big Four rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Also Read: WATCH - Angry Stefanos Tsitsipas tries to hit Nick Kyrgios with wild smash, nearly hits a fan too While loud cheers could be heard as the champions paraded into Centre Court one by one, a deafening roar resounded around the vast grounds of the All England Club when the man considered as Wimbledon royalty made an appearance to greet his grateful subjects. The Swiss has not played a competitive match since bowing out in the quarter-finals of last year`s championships to Hubert Hurkacz, the 6-0 mauling he suffered in the final set still a painful memory. Weeks later he announced he had to undergo yet another operation on his knee and having already celebrated his 40th birthday, there were fears that fans would never again see Federer`s silky racket skills in a competitive arena. Federer, who turns 41 next month, has only committed to playing at his hometown tournament in Basel and the Laver Cup later this year, but on Sunday he seemed delighted to be back on the stage where, as a long-haired teenager, he made his name by dethroning Pete Sampras. "I`ve been lucky enough to play a lot of matches on this court. It feels awkward to be here today in a different type of role," said Federer, who completed his outfit by wearing white tennis shoes and a purple Wimbledon membership badge on his lapel. "It`s great to be here with all the other champions." Twelve months ago, the crowd had been hushed into an uncomfortable silence as Federer`s game fell apart in spectacular fashion. Also Read: 'I didn't play good tennis': Iga Swiatek reacts after shock defeat against Alize Cornet at Wimbledon 2022 As the Swiss exited left, even he did not know if his ageing body would allow him to come back and compete at the spiritual home of lawn tennis again. "I`ve missed it here. I knew walking out here last year, it was going to be a tough year ahead. I maybe didn`t think it was going to take this long to come back -- the knee has been rough on me," added the 20-time Grand Slam champion who has had multiple knee surgeries. "It`s been a good year regardless of tennis... I`m happy standing here right now."

'I hope I can come back': Roger Federer hints at Wimbledon return on surprise visit

Roger Federer has signed up to play at his home tournament in Basel in October, tournament organisers said on Tuesday as doubts continue on when the 20-time major winner will return to competition from his knee problem.

The former world number one, who will be 41 in August, has not played since July last year, when he was knocked out of Wimbledon in the quarter-finals against Hubert Hurkacz.

Federer underwent two knee operations in 2020 and returned to the tour last year, but had another knee surgery after Wimbledon that forced him to miss the second half of the season.

In February, Federer confirmed his plans to team up with Spaniard Rafa Nadal at the Laver Cup in London in September.

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The Swiss Indoors tournament will return to the calendar after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is scheduled to take place between Oct. 24-30.

Federer is a record 10-times winner in Basel and will return as the reigning champion at the event, where he has not lost since 2013.

Roger Federer has signed up to play at his home tournament in Basel in October, tournament organisers said on Tuesday as doubts continue on when the 20-time major winner will return to competition from his knee problem.

Roger Federer has signed up to play at his home tournament in Basel in October, tournament organisers said on Tuesday as doubts continue on when the 20-time major winner will return to competition from his knee problem. The former world number one, who will be 41 in August, has not played since July last year, when he was knocked out of Wimbledon in the quarter-finals against Hubert Hurkacz. Federer underwent two knee operations in 2020 and returned to the tour last year, but had another knee surgery after Wimbledon that forced him to miss the second half of the season. In February, Federer confirmed his plans to team up with Spaniard Rafa Nadal at the Laver Cup in London in September. Also Read: Wimbledon defends ban on Russian players, confirms Covid vaccination not mandatory for participation The Swiss Indoors tournament will return to the calendar after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is scheduled to take place between Oct. 24-30. Federer is a record 10-times winner in Basel and will return as the reigning champion at the event, where he has not lost since 2013.

Roger Federer set to return to ATP Circuit, will play at Swiss Indoors in October

Roger Federer played his first match for over a year Wednesday as the Swiss 20-time Grand Slam champion returned from injury to take on British number one Dan Evans at the Qatar Open in Doha.

Federer, who underwent two knee surgeries in 2020, won the toss and elected to serve first after joking with the umpire about the rules of the game.

He received a rapturous welcome from the 20 percent-capacity crowd at Doha's Khalifa Tennis Complex, beaming back at the crowd.

The 39-year-old initially pulled ahead winning his service game which was tempered by Evans also winning his opening service game.

Federer hasn't played a match since a semi-final defeat by Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in January 2020 and acknowledged it was unusual for a player of his age to return after injury.

"I know it's on the rare side for a 40-year-old to come back after a year out," he said at a media briefing in the Qatari capital Doha Sunday.

"I feel there is still something -- retirement was never really on the cards."

While he was out of action, he saw Rafael Nadal equal his record Grand Slam title haul with a 13th Roland Garros triumph.

Djokovic, meanwhile, captured a ninth Australian Open last month to take his career Slam tally to 18.

Roger Federer played his first match for over a year Wednesday as the Swiss 20-time Grand Slam champion returned from injury to take on British number one Dan Evans at the Qatar Open in Doha.

Roger Federer played his first match for over a year Wednesday as the Swiss 20-time Grand Slam champion returned from injury to take on British number one Dan Evans at the Qatar Open in Doha. Federer, who underwent two knee surgeries in 2020, won the toss and elected to serve first after joking with the umpire about the rules of the game. He received a rapturous welcome from the 20 percent-capacity crowd at Doha's Khalifa Tennis Complex, beaming back at the crowd. The 39-year-old initially pulled ahead winning his service game which was tempered by Evans also winning his opening service game. Federer hasn't played a match since a semi-final defeat by Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open in January 2020 and acknowledged it was unusual for a player of his age to return after injury. "I know it's on the rare side for a 40-year-old to come back after a year out," he said at a media briefing in the Qatari capital Doha Sunday. "I feel there is still something -- retirement was never really on the cards." While he was out of action, he saw Rafael Nadal equal his record Grand Slam title haul with a 13th Roland Garros triumph. Djokovic, meanwhile, captured a ninth Australian Open last month to take his career Slam tally to 18.

Roger Federer plays first match for over a year

Tennis star Roger Federer is fast turning into a social media sensation. First, he went viral with a volley challenge. Now, his appearance on an Instagram live is making waves.

Gravitas: Why Federer is the latest social media sensation