Wimbledon 2023: Frances Tiafoe on prospect of being watched by 'icon' Roger Federer - 'Definitely nerve-wracking!'

ByAlasdair Mackenzie

Updated 06/07/2023 at 16:25 GMT

Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer returned to the All England Club this week to rapturous applause from adoring fans and players alike. The ever-popular Swiss watched Andy Murray defeat Ryan Peniston in the first round, and world No. 10 Frances Tiafoe has since admitted the thought of playing in front of Federer at SW19 is "nerve-wracking." Tiafoe faces Dominic Stricker on Thursday.

Frances Tiafoe admits that being watched by tennis “icon” Roger Federer at Wimbledon is a “nerve-wracking” prospect after the Swiss legend returned to SW19.

Eight-time Wimbledon champion Federer attended the Royal Box on Centre Court on Tuesday, watching Andy Murray’s first-round victory over fellow Brit Ryan Peniston.

The Swiss is one of the most celebrated and successful players in the history of the sport, having won 20 Grand Slam titles, and world No. 10 Tiafoe is among his admirers.

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The American defeated Wu Yibing in straight sets in the first round and is up against Dominic Stricker next on Thursday.

But he said that the thought of potentially being under Federer's gaze later in the tournament is a daunting one.

He told the Tennis Channel: “It’s definitely nerve-wracking!

“[At] a couple of Laver Cups when he was there watching, every ball that I missed I thought ‘he probably thinks I’m terrible!’ But that’s definitely going to be something.

“What a legend, and it’s still tough that he’s not playing. He’s such an icon and so good for the sport.

“He still looks a million bucks in that suit. The funny thing is, he looked like that on the court – he would never sweat.”

Tiafoe broke into the top 10 for the first time ahead of Wimbledon after claiming his second title of the season in Stuttgart.

Prinzessin Kate mit Roger Federer

Image credit: Getty Images

“For a guy like me with the story like I’ve had, it’s huge. Not only for me, but my family, which is who I do it for,” he said.

“It happened on Father’s Day and my dad choked up when I facetimed him.

“I told him I never thought I’d be in this situation, what he did and my mum and twin brothers...

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“It’s super exciting and having them all here to see me play for the first time in the top 10, it means a lot for them.

“But for me I feel like I really haven’t scratched the surface, I feel like there’s a lot more I can do."

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Stream daily highlights from Wimbledon at 10pm UK time, as well as the two singles finals live on July 15 and 16, on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

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