Roger Federer will open the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans as guest of honor. On June 14 and 15, he will wave the starting flag.
What happened?
The Basel native retired from professional tennis in 2022 after winning 20 Grand Slam titles.
Why it matters for Roger Federer
Federer is quoted as saying the invitation is a "great honor" and he has always been fascinated by the commitment and endurance required for this race.
What comes next?
The 43-year-old will be on the road as an ambassador for luxury watch manufacturer Rolex, which has been the main sponsor of the race since 2001.
Federer clearly misses the tennis circus and recently announced he wants to "play show matches again and fill stadiums all over the world." However, there are no concrete plans yet.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is considered one of the most prestigious races in the world, forming the "Triple Crown of Motorsport" with the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500.
Other sporting greats have already competed in the past, including football legend Zinédine Zidane and American basketball star LeBron James.
The oldest endurance race in the world, the first edition was held in 1923.
A photo from June 11, 1955, shows the legendary Argentinian driver Juan Fangio at the wheel of car number 19.
Federer's next engagement is now known, and he will be at the center of this symbolic event, which will be an extraordinary experience for him.