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Being Roger Federer comes with a myriad of perks, but getting into Wimbledon is apparently not one of them.
During an appearance on The Daily Show, the recently-retired tennis legend told host Trevor Noah about an incident last month where he was refused entry into the prestigious All England Lawn Tennis Club, which hosts the Wimbledon Grand Slam event,
Despite winning the major tournament a whopping eight times throughout his glittering career, the 20-time Grand Slam winner says he was initially turned away at the entrance gate.
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“It was actually two weeks ago,” the 41-year-old said, explaining he had a few hours to kill in London after a doctor’s appointment in the city.
He suggested to his entourage that they go have some tea at Wimbledon, admitting he’s not been there when the tournament wasn’t on.
“I drive up to the gate where usually guests would come in. So I get out, and I tell my coach who was with me, ‘I’ll quickly go out and speak to the security lady. I got this,’” he recalled.
“So then I get out and I’m like, ‘Hello I was wondering how I could get into Wimbledon?’ She asked if I had a membership card. When you win Wimbledon, you become a member automatically. And honestly I don’t know about membership cards, they are probably at home somewhere and I’ve just been travelling so I had no idea.”
“I told her, ‘No I don’t have my membership card, but I am a member. I’m just wondering where I can get in,’” he told the guard — however his plea fell on deaf ears.
“I’m like, ‘No, I am a member and normally when I’m here, I’m playing. And now it’s the first time the tournament is not on and I’m here.’”
“I look at her in a panic one last time, and say, ‘I’m so sorry but I have won this tournament eight times, please, believe me, I am a member,‘” he added.
After an unsuccessful attempt at gaining access to the club, Federer decided to try another gate on the opposite side, where he was instantly recognised.
He told Noah: “The security guard standing there says, ‘Oh my god, Mr. Federer what are you doing here? Do you have your membership card? I said I don’t, but the security guard let me in and organised it all.”
The tennis legend said he ended up having tea with the Wimbledon chairman for an hour.
“And I thought of going over to the other side and giving the other security guard a wave, but I didn’t do it,” he quipped.
The athlete announced his retirement from the sport earlier this year, citing the challenges of age and injuries.
This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was republished with permission.
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