Story highlights
Federer has 'dream' to visit Wimbledon queue
Considering talking to fans in line
Eight-time Wimbledon champion plays third-round match Friday
The thousands of tennis fans who camp out overnight each year in Wimbledon’s famous queue might get a reward bigger than the tickets they covet – a chance to meet Roger Federer.
It might not happen anytime soon – or ever, for that matter – but Wimbledon’s eight-time champion said his “dream” was to wander along the snaking line that is a mainstay of the first week and just chat with the fans, many of whom worship him.
READ: The art of Wimbledon queuing
READ: What’s behind Federer’s resurgence?
“Every time when I see an article or a video, especially which I enjoy a lot, I see something about the queue,” the 20-time grand slam winner told reporters after his second-round win over Lukas Lacko. “I hear what they say, how excited they are about Wimbledon.
“They get asked, ‘Who are you here to see?’ Your name drops. It’s always very exciting, I must tell you.
“I always have this sort of dream or this thing, I just want to like walk past them and speak to these people, to hear their stories.
“That’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Then you’re like, ‘Nah, maybe not.’ Who knows how they’re going to react?”
READ: Flying ants cause havoc at Wimbledon
Either way, at least his fans can take heart in the knowledge he is planning to stick around for a while yet this fortnight.
READ: Serena wins first Wimbledon match as a mom
The defending champion extended his set streak at the All England Club to 26 in dispatching Lacko Wednesday, taking his total court time from two matches to two hours, 49 minutes.
On Friday he will meet Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, who withstood a barrage of 61 aces to beat Ivo Karlovic in five sets Wednesday.
READ: Roger Federer ditches Nike for Uniqlo
Much of the discussion around Federer has centered on his switch in clothing manufacturer, from US giant Nike to Japanese brand Uniqlo.
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The multi-year deal is, according to reports, worth $300 million over 10 years. Federer said he hoped to get his famous “RF” logo back from Nike “sooner than later.”
