Federer back at Wimbledon as the Championships celebrate Center Court centenary (AP Photo)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Federer was spotted at the SW19 on Sunday
• The tennis great was dressed in black suit as he returned to Wimbledon
• Wimbledon celebrates 100 years of Center Court on Sunday

Roger Federer was back at Wimbledon as the 20-time Grand Slam champion was spotted at SW19 on Sunday, July 3. Federer was in attendance at The Championships, which celebrates the 100th year of the Center Court with a grand ceremony on Day 7 of the ongoing grass-court Grand Slam.

Roger Federer was spotted wearing a black suit and black shades as he was accompanied by security officials at the SW19 in London. Federer looked dapper as he caught the attention of fans and the shutterbugs at Wimbledon. Notably, Federer last played competitive tennis at Wimbledon last year when he was ousted in the quarter-finals.

Wimbledon’s celebration of the centenary of the Center Court will involve looking back at some of the iconic moments from the past with former champions and big names gracing the occasion. A new tradition of playing on the middle Sunday of the tournament was introduced only this year.

The Wimbledon site is set for expansion over the coming years after the All England Club’s purchase of the adjacent Wimbledon Park Golf Club, where a new show court will be located.

Notably, school children have been asked to imagine what Centre Court would look like in 100 years’ time, according to AFP news agency.

The Center Court was opened in 1922 but it was not welcomed by all with some calling it the ‘White Elephant’ as there apparently were concerns about filling the 15-000 seater stadium.

Wimbledon communications and marketing director Alexandra Willis had shed light on how the perception of the center court changed over the years.

“It was described as this white elephant,” Willis said on Friday. “How on earth would the club ever fill it? How would tennis ever be so popular so that you would welcome so many people?

“And obviously here we are 100 years later and this wonderful stadium is 100 years old. It’s become one of the most iconic landmarks is all of sport,” Willis said.

On Sunday, local hope Heather Watson will be in action first on center court when she takes on Germany’s Jule Neimer in the women’s singles 3rd round.

Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz will be in action next when he takes on in-form Jannik Sinner in what is expected to be a potential blockbuster.

The final match on Center Court on Sunday will be defending champion Novak Djokovic taking on Tim van Rijthoven.