WIMBLEDON – The people around the grounds – and, suddenly overnight, it’s overrun with tennis fans – quickly got word to each other that Roger Federer was on a non-ticketed court.
One fan was screaming into his cellphone to his wife, “Roger Federer’s here on Court 19, where we just left, to play a doubles match. And it’s OPEN SEATING! GET HERE NOW!”
Perhaps no other other player in history comes close to the reaction people get when they first see him. People get excited about various players, obviously. But you rarely this reaction. You can tell in a second who is laying eyes on him, live and in person, for the very first time by the sharp intake of break and the slow exhale, as they gather themselves.
Federer likes No. 19 Court, right across St. Mary’s walk from the bigger Court 18 match point and almost nestled on the side of the hill. In previous years, it’s been a popular match court but not this year – at least, not today.
The Swiss warmed up with a lefty, in anticipation of his match against Argentine southpaw Guido Pella later in the afternoon on Centre Court.
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