The Guardian

Wimbledon champions and legends mark 100th birthday of Centre Court

Haroon Siddique and agency

Wimbledon spectators were treated to appearances by some of the tournament’s legends, including Billie Jean King, Roger Federer and Venus Williams, yesterday as Centre Court celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The ceremony featured 26 previous champions as well as a singalong led by Cliff Richard, recreating when he memorably entertained the Centre Court crowd in similar fashion during a lengthy rain delay in 1996.

Giants from the past such as Rod Laver, Chris Evert and Björn Borg rubbed shoulders with present-day competitors including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, who ended a 77-year wait for a British men’s champion at Wimbledon.

Veteran broadcasters Sue Barker and John McEnroe introduced the players as they entered in order of how many championships they won.

King, who won 20 Wimbledon championships, blew kisses to the crowd. She told Barker: “As a 17-yearold I played my first match ever here at Wimbledon. I had two days on this court. It was magical and wonderful and I knew I belonged here.” She also paid tribute to her friend the ninetime Wimbledon singles’ winner, Martina Navratilova, who was unable to attend owing to coronavirus.

Fans stood and cheered when Federer, winner of a record eight Wimbledon men’s singles titles, strode on to the court. The Swiss champion, long absent from the game due to injury, said he felt “awkward” to return without playing and he had missed Wimbledon this year.

“I hope I can come back one more time,” he said. “The knee has been rough on me, but I’ve been happy at home; it’s been a good year.”

McEnroe, the winner of eight Wimbledon championships as well as losing finalist in one of the greatest matches ever to grace Centre Court – his five-set epic against Borg in 1980 – warmly hugged his former rival.

Djokovic, the reigning men’s champion and favourite to win again this year, said it was an “absolute honour and privilege” to be sharing the court with legends of the sport and he was more nervous than when he had been playing.

The singer Freya Ridings performed Lost Without You on a white piano as the grand slam winners looked across the grass and some spectators wept. Thousands of free tickets were given to Ukrainian, Syrian and Afghan refugees, as well as to community groups and schools.

Centre Court has been the main stage at the championships since 1922. It was bombed in 1940 and Wimbledon was unable to repair the damage until 1947. In 1979, it was expanded to increase capacity and in 2009 it gained a retractable roof.

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