The reason why Roger Federer wasn’t allowed into Wimbledon in 2022

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Roger Federer won more titles than anyone else on the grass courts of Wimbledon.

Between 2003 and 2017, Federer won eight Wimbledon titles, defeating the likes of Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Andy Roddick on Centre Court.

Struggling with injuries, Federer lost his final match at Wimbledon to Hubert Hurkacz in 2021.

Unable to return for the men’s singles tournament in 2022, the Swiss legend wanted to have lunch with his friends at Wimbledon instead.

During a 2022 appearance on ‘The Daily Show‘, Federer shared why he wasn’t allowed into the All England Club.

Roger Federer was denied entry into Wimbledon because he didn’t have his membership card

“We had two hours to kill, so thought, let’s go have tea at Wimbledon,” he said.

“But I have not really been at Wimbledon when the tournament is not on. So I get out, tell my coach, who was with me at the time, Severin [Luthi], I tell him, I’ll quickly go out and speak to the security lady, I got this.

“I get out, and I’m like, Hello, I’m just wondering how to get into Wimbledon. She’s like, Do you have a membership card?

“I’m like, uh… because when you win Wimbledon, you become a member automatically, I don’t have my membership card, but I am a member. I’m just wondering where I can get in.

“She’s like, yeah, but you have to be a member. Normally, when I’m here, I’m playing! I don’t know where to get in, so I’m just asking where can I get in. She said, the other side, but you have to be a member.

“I look at her one last time, and I’m in a panic now. I still can’t believe I said this, I still feel bad about it… I look at her and say, I have won this tournament eight times! Please believe me, I am a member. Where do I get in?”

Just when Federer was about to give up, a fan saved him.

“So, I’m like, Ok, I get out and go around the other side, a random person walks and goes, ‘Oh, Mr Federer, I can’t believe you’re here at Wimbledon. Can we take a selfie?” he remembered.

“I’m like, Yes! Let’s take a picture. The security guards that are there are like, ‘Oh my god, Mr Federer, what are you doing here? Do you have your membership card?

“I’m like, ‘No, I don’t, but is it possible to get in?’, Of course, we’ll open the door, let me organise it

“I walked in, the chairman was there, and I was having tea for an hour.

“I thought about going over to the other side and giving a wave [to the security lady] that I was in, but I didn’t do it!”

Federer is unlikely to be denied access again, given he is arguably the greatest player in Wimbledon history…

Will anyone break Roger Federer’s Wimbledon record?

The 44-year-old won eight titles at SW19, a Wimbledon record.

His closest challenger is Novak Djokovic, who currently sits on seven titles.

All-time Wimbledon champions (Men’s singles)

The Serb lost back-to-back Wimbledon finals to Carlos Alcaraz in 2023 and 2024, before losing in this year’s semifinals.

At 38, Djokovic’s chances of winning another title at the All England Club look slim, but it would be dangerous to count him out.

Perhaps it is more likely, however, that we see one of Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner take the record from Federer before the end of their careers.

The world number one and two have won the last three Wimbledon titles, and along with Djokovic, are the only active players to have lifted the trophy.

Active Wimbledon men’s singles champions

• Novak Djokovic – 7
• Carlos Alcaraz – 2
• Jannik Sinner – 1

Neither player will take the record from Federer anytime soon, but if they continue to dominate as they have done over the last two years, they could be breathing down his neck before the end of the decade.

Whatever happens, you certainly won’t want to miss any of next year’s Wimbledon tournament, which begins on June 29.