Roger Federer shows true colours with private gesture amid Andy Murray’s Wimbledon exit

Wimbledon legend Roger Federer was not on court following Andy Murray’s emotional Centre Court farewell – but he did share a moment with the Scot earlier in the day

Andy Murray of Great Britain appears emotional
Andy Murray bid an emotional farewell to Centre Court on Thursday

Roger Federer greeted Andy Murray away from the public eye prior to the Scot’s emotional Wimbledon curtain-call on Thursday.

Murray, 37, played what could be his final match on Centre Court alongside his brother, Jamie, in the first round of the men’s doubles. The brothers were beaten 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 by Australian duo John Peers and Rinky Hijikata.

After soaking in the adulation of the Centre Court crowd, Murray conducted a tear-jerking farewell interview with Sue Barker while a number of his compatriots and tennis greats, including the likes of Tim Henman and Novak Djokovic, gave him a well-earned guard of honour.

Federer was a notable absentee from the proceedings and fans took to social media to question the eight-time Wimbledon champion’s absence. It has now emerged, though, that the Swiss superstar had already shared a moment with Murray at the All England Club.

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As outlined by i News, Federer was at Wimbledon on Thursday. And although he didn’t partake in the emotional scenes after Murray’s match, tournament director Jamie Baker revealed Federer did speak with Murray earlier in the day.

“He went and saw Andy before the match. They had a good chat,” Baker said. “The player thing [at the ceremony] was the most fluid part of our plan, obviously with matches going on and the weather we didn’t know how that was going to work out so we made a last minute decision to get some of those players on the court which I think actually made quite a nice addition to the celebration, I think Andy really appreciated that as well.”

When he was asked if Federer would potentially be apart of any further tributes for Murray – who will play alongside Emma Raducanu in the mixed doubles – Baker added: “I don’t know, I’m not sure how long Roger is staying for,” Baker said. “The point is, I’m really delighted we could give Andy the send-off on Centre Court like we did last night.

Roger Federer shared a moment with Murray at the All England Club earlier in the day

“The schedule for the mixed doubles is fluid and I think it’s a bonus that wherever they are playing, the British public are going to give him a great send-off. We’ll see how the next few days play out.”