Why Oxfam will be supporting Federer

Roger Federer can claim his seventh title and make a considerable amount for charity if he wins once more at Wimbledon.

Roger Federer
Can Federer get his Wimbledon crown back from Novak Djokovic? [EPA]

Swiss tennis player Roger Federer is not just playing for his seventh Wimbledon title this week, he also finds himself inadvertently playing for a charitable cause. 

One more title at the Lawn Tennis Club stands to make British charity Oxfam $150,000 richer.

While Federer is now undoubtedly one of the best players to have picked up a racket, one man had more faith in the player than most.

Nine-years ago Nick Newlife of Oxford placed a hefty bet with potential winnings of $155,000 on the player winning the tournament seven times. 

Unfortunately – if Federer does achieve the feat – Newlife will not be able to collect his money as he died before seeing his wager come through.  

Oxfam instead will collect the prize after being left the bet in his will.  

While it is an interesting story, none of this is likely to be on Federer’s mind as he prepares to face World Number One Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal at his favourite tournament. 

Major drought

For almost a decade it seemed Federer was guest of honour on finals day at nearly every grand slam event but over the past 12 months Djokovic and Nadal have conspired to strike him off the guest list. 

Between winning his first major at Wimbledon in 2003 and a record 16th slam at the Australian Open in 2010, Federer failed to reach the showpiece match in one of the big four tournaments just five times and contested an astonishing 22 finals.

So regular were his appearances in the finals that, when he was absent, it felt a little like attending a Madonna concert where the Queen of Pop had failed to show up.

“I fancy my chances here and at the U.S. Open. It’s exciting times ahead”

Roger Federer

Unfortunately for Federer, his run of success has dried up and he is not happy being just one of the crowd.

Wimbledon, U.S. Open and Australian Open champion Djokovic and Nadal have split the last nine major trophies between them and they have also contested the last four slam finals.

With Nadal claiming his seventh win on the clay at the French Open, Federer may very well want to prove he can do the same thing on his favourite surface. 

For Federer it is time someone gatecrashed their party and winning a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon crown would be a good start.

“It’s my time of the year now,” he told reporters at Wimbledon on Saturday.

“I fancy my chances here and at the U.S. Open. It’s exciting times ahead.”

The rivalry between the top three has electrified not just the tennis community but the whole sporting world.

It seems each time one of the trio reaches a final, a host of records are on the line.

Over the next 42 days, not only will they will be chasing a Wimbledon crown but the number one ranking is also up for grabs, as is the Olympic gold medal when the All England Club hosts the tennis event during the London Games.

While it is all up for grabs, Oxfam will be hoping its Federer’s name once more on that Wimbledon trophy. 

Source: News Agencies