LONDON: Roger Federer hailed Queen Elizabeth II for her “elegance” and “grace” as the world of sport stopped to pay tribute to the British monarch who passed away on Thursday at the age of 96.
Sporting events in Britain scheduled for Friday, including Test cricket and European golf’s PGA Championship, were cancelled as a mark of respect.
British horse racing chiefs also pressed the pause button as tributes poured in for the late British monarch from across the sporting world.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Royal Majesty,” tweeted Federer who met the queen when she visited Wimbledon in 2010.
Federer is an eight-time Wimbledon champion.
“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.”
Fellow tennis legend and two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal tweeted his “most respectful, sincere and deepest condolences”.
Brazilian football great Pele was among other sports stars who paid tribute.
“I have been a great admirer of Queen Elizabeth II since the first time I saw her in person, in 1968, when she came to Brazil to witness our love for football and experienced the magic of a packed Maracana,” he tweeted.
“Her deeds have marked generations. This legacy will last forever.” The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said Friday’s play between England and South Africa in the third Test at the Oval in London would not take place.
Thursday’s first day in London was washed out without a ball bowled. The three-match series is locked at 1-1.
Play at the PGA Championship at Wentworth, near London, was suspended on Thursday evening when news broke of the death of the monarch and it was later confirmed that there would be no play on Friday.
Cycling’s Tour of Britain, which was set to finish on the Isle of Wight on Sunday, was called off entirely after Thursday’s fifth stage.
Manchester United’s 1-0 home defeat in the Europa League against Real Sociedad went ahead on Thursday but a minute’s silence was held before kick-off and players wore black armbands.
The English Football League announced the postponement of Friday’s two scheduled matches, adding “a determination regarding the remainder of this weekend’s scheduled fixtures will be made following a review of the official mourning guidance”.
Racing in mourning
It was reported that a meeting of governing bodies across a range of sports has been scheduled for Friday morning, where officials will set out government guidance on the official 10-day period of mourning.
It is understood sports chiefs will be left to make their own judgements regarding the staging of events.
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The British Horseracing Authority said the sport was in mourning for the queen, who showed an intense passion for racing throughout her life.
“Her Majesty has been one of the greatest and most influential supporters in the history of horse racing,” the BHA said.
The BHA’s statement added: “It is right, therefore, that all racing is suspended for today and tomorrow as we begin to grieve Her Majesty’s passing and remember her extraordinary life and contribution to our sport and our nation.”
‘Grievously missed’
Former England captain and current World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont tweeted: “Her Majesty The Queen will be remembered as a much-loved, visionary monarch, who cared deeply about all people under her reign, and was an avid supporter of sport and its power to unite communities.”
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said the queen had shown “exceptional leadership, grace, wisdom and fortitude”.
“I will never forget her total commitment to the success of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Coe said.
“She has been a source of continuity and comfort, and she will be grievously missed by us all.”
The United States Tennis Association staged “a moment of silence at the US Open in New York just before the women’s semi-finals got underway.
A message on Twitter from Wimbledon, where the queen previously served as a patron, read: “We wish to convey our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to The Royal Family on the sad passing of Her Majesty The Queen.”
North America’s National Hockey League (NHL) posted footage from the Queen’s ceremonial puck drop at a 2002 contest between the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks.
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