Malawi: Roger Federer launches child development centre

Tennis star Roger Federer launched a children's programme in Malawi on 19 July as part of his charity foundation.

Federer was in the capital Lilongwe to launch a child care centre supporting early childhood development.

He took to his official Twitter account and said: "Excited to be visiting Malawi, the warm heart of Africa, for the first time with the Roger Federer Foundation."

"I have always thought children are tomorrow's future and I really enjoy supporting them and giving them an opportunity to be able to go to school," Federer told AFP News.

"I think it's really important that every child should have this opportunity, so I am trying to help as much as I can."

The world's number two ranked player has worked alongside the charity Action Aid to reach out to children across six districts in Malawi since 2011.

His goal is to reach out to an estimated 135,000 children by 2021.

Federer lost the Wimbledon crown to Novak Djokovic on 12 July.

"That is sport, we don't know the outcome. I had my chances in the first set. I got lucky to win the second, had chances in the third. I work very hard, so do the other guys, I have a great team behind me. Without them it would not be possible," said Federer.

"I am still very hungry and motivated."