Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer has addressed tennis fans across the globe, asking them to cheer for new champions this summer.

In a moving letter published by the All-England Club in the wake of this year’s Wimbledon being postponed due to coronavirus, narrator Federer calls for fans to stay positive and look forward to coming together in the future.

The Swiss is 38 and doubtless in the latter stages of his time on the grass courts he has dominated for nearly two decades, but he had a warm message for SW19 fans about the future.

“Since 1877, Wimbledon fans have embraced the Championships. We have watched through multiple types of screen, at all hours of the day and night, descended from afar, even queued... my how you have queued,” he said.

“This summer, sadly, we must come together by staying apart. No tents will be pitched, no records broken, no trophies engraved. But as we say thank you for your passion and support, we remind ourselves that countless champions will be crowned.

“As frontline workers across the globe compete for us, we cheer for them. For now, with play suspended, we are united in hope that tomorrow will be better than today.”

PA

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