Roger Federer's devastating act after Queen Elizabeth's death

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.

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"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, along with 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 Queen Elizabeth.

"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.

In 2010, Federer talked about his meeting with The Queen.

"I was lucky enough to have lunch with her. I was sitting right next to her, with my wife," Federer said.

"It was a very nice lunch for us. We spent an hour together talking about the London Olympics, she knew about my scores.

"She was very relaxed. It was a pleasure talking to her."

Sport world reacts to The Queen's death

Many in the sport world were quick to pay their respects to the Royal Family after the sad news.

Football legend Pele and current England striker Harry Kane both talked about their admiration for the Queen.

Pele talked about meeting The Queen in 1968 when she vitiated Brazil.

Tennis icon Billie Jean King also met the Queen in 2010, the same time as Federer.

While British world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury and British F1 driver George Russell also paid their respects.

Several sporting events in Britain were called off as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.

Organisers 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 canceling 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.

with AP

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