LONDON, England (AFP) — Seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer hailed ailing Nelson Mandela as “influential and amazing” yesterday as the anti-apartheid icon remained in a critical condition in a Pretoria hospital.

“He’s been very influential, an amazing personality, you know, believed in something, had to pay a big price for it,” Federer said of the former South African president who spent 27 years in apartheid jails.

“Someone you can definitely look up to and that’s very important for me. Clearly there’s many that come and go, but he has been there for a very long time.

“And he’s very much respected and loved. So we hope he does well here now in this process.”

Federer was speaking after reaching the Wimbledon second round yesterday with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 win over Romania’s Victor Hanescu.

The Swiss star has been a regular visitor to South Africa over the years where he has a charitable foundation.

The country is also the birthplace of his mother, Lynnette.

In 2011, Federer was voted second to Mandela in an international survey to find the world’s most respected, admired, and trusted personality.

Russia’s 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova also paid tribute to Mandela.

The 94-year-old was rushed to hospital with a recurrent lung infection on June 8.

“For someone with such a big name, who has touched so many people in this world, I think it’s extremely sad to see him in that position,” Sharapova said.