Tennis icon Roger Federer has paid a special tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II after the world was rocked by the news of her death on Thursday.
People from all around the world have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after the Royal Family announced she died at Balmoral at the age of 96.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow,” Buckingham Palace said.
The sporting world was quick to pay tribute to the longest-ever serving British monarch.
And one such icon to pay respects was 20-time grand slam champion Federer.
Federer met the queen and Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic in 2010 after her Royal Majesty visited Wimbledon.
And to show his respects, Federer tweeted out his condolences to the Royal Family and Great Britain.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Royal Majesty,” Federer wrote, accompanied by a photo of himself meeting her Queen Elizabeth II.
“Her elegance, grace, and loyalty to her duty will live on in history.
“I would like to send my thoughts and condolences to the entire Royal Family and Great Britain.”
Federer has enjoyed the best moments of his sporting career in the UK having won Wimbledon eight times.
He won his first grand slam at the All England Club back in 2003.
The sports world reacts to The Queen’s death
Several sporting events in Britain were called off as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96 on Thursday.
Organizers of the BMW PGA Championship golf event reacted to the announcement of the queen’s death by immediately suspending play, with many players still out on the course at Wentworth. The course and practice facilities will be closed Friday.
The England and Wales Cricket Board said Friday’s play in the second test between England and South Africa at the Oval would not take place.
Horse racing meetings in Britain were suspended on Thursday night and Friday, with the governing body wanting to “remember her extraordinary life and contribution to our sport and our nation.”
Domestic rugby matches in England and Scotland were called off on Thursday and games will not be played over the weekend, either.
Organisers of cycling’s Tour of Britain declared the race over after cancelling Friday’s stage as well as two more over the weekend. Gonzalo Serrano, who led after Thursday’s stage, was named the winner.
The Premier League paid its respects to the royal family, saying it was “deeply saddened” to hear of the queen’s death.
It didn’t immediately say whether games would go ahead this weekend.
