Tennis News : It’s nice to be back – Federer on Wimbledon return

Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer says "it's nice to be back" in London as he prepares to challenge for a record-extending ninth title at the All England Club next week. The Swiss great was speaking on Wednesday via video link to a charity auction of his own memorabilia at London auction house Christie's. The 39-year-old was unable to attend in person due to the strict bubble environment all players at this year's Championship need to follow. Wednesday's auction saw 20 of 320 lots go under the hammer, fetching a total of 1.85m USD, quadruple the low estimate, to benefit the Roger Federer Foundation which helps early life education in his mother's native southern Africa and his home country of Switzerland. Key items, such as the outfits he wore when completing the career grand slam at the 2009 French Open and his last Wimbledon title in 2017, sold for three times the low estimate, netting 208,000 USD and 153,000 USD, respectively. The remaining 300 lots, which include signed towels, balls and caps, start at 150 USD and are on sale via an online auction until July 13th.