Roger Federer returns to Centre Court in Wimbledon's Royal Box

It's the dream ticket in tennis: a seat in the Royal Box on Wimbledon's Centre Court. Even better if you can watch Roger Federer from the hallowed perch.

On Tuesday, Roger Federer got the dream ticket for the first time—while thousands of other fortunate patrons in the sport's most historic arena got another chance to watch a living legend.

Shortly before 2022 women's champion Elena Rybakina began her title defense, Federer was introduced immediately following the arrival Catherine, Princess of Wales. The crowd politely stood and applauded Kate Middleton, but the ovation was truly saved for Federer, who retired from the sport last September at Laver Cup.

Last summer Federer expressed hope of playing in The Championships one final time, but as tournaments continued to pass without his participation, that desire became unlikelier. He would announce his impending retirement shortly after the US Open (where Serena Williams would play for the last time).

Williams, pregnant with her second child, was asked to return to SW19 for the ocassion but declined the invitation.

Federer owns a men's record eight Wimbledon titles—a stat that could be matched by Novak Djokovic in less than two weeks. Federer finished runner-up at Wimbledon four times—once to Rafael Nadal, and three times to Djokovic. Their most recent collision for a Wimbledon championship came in 2019, when Djokovic saved two match points before winning a 13-12 fifth set.

Joined by his wife, mother and father, Federer and Middleton watched defending champion Elena Rybakina defeat Shelby Rogers (let the puns fly) in three sets.

"Maybe that's why I was nervous because actually I really like Roger," Rybakina said afterward. "When I was younger, I was always watching him play.

"It was really special. The year after to be again on this court with the same crowd, it was really special."

Federer then took in Andy Murray's match against fellow Brit Ryan Peniston. The Swiss denied Murray a Wimbledon title in 2012 before the Scot snapped a 77-year men's title drought by British players.

"It was amazing to have some royalty here, but also some tennis royalty as well," Murray said about HRH and RF.

Then, Murray added his usual twist of humor to the moment.

"Last time I was on this court and he was watching was during the Olympics, and he sat in Stan Wawrinka's box and was supporting against me," Murray said with a laugh. "So it was nice to see a couple of claps after a couple of good shots."

Federer responded with a laugh of his own, and a thumbs up to approve the performance.