Roger Federer is just one win away from landing a £100,000 windfall for charity Oxfam - as a result of a bet placed by a gambler who is now DEAD.
A gambler spotted the Wimbledon-winning potential of Federer nine years ago and staked a hefty bet with bookmakers William Hill, with potential six-figure winnings for Oxfam should the Swiss Maestro win the tournament seven times.
Nick Newlife of Oxford died in 2009, meaning he did not see the wager he placed in 2003 come to fruition. But he left the bet in his will to Oxfam, with the charity set to collect the money should Federer get the one more Wimbledon title he needs at any point between Sunday's clash with Andy Murray and the 2019 edition at the All-England club.
"Mr Newlife told me he had identified Roger Federer as a future serial winner at Wimbledon and wanted to place a 'sizeable' long term wager on him, which we were happy to allow him to do," said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.
When Mr Newlife passed away his will disclosed that he had bequeathed his entire estate, including the bet - along with another one from which they have already collected £16,750 - to Oxfam.
The charity estimates that some 12 per cent of its income is from legacies.
"Although Mr Newlife's bet runs until 2019,Oxfam could, if they so wished, now place a substantial bet on Andy Murray upsetting the odds and winning the Final, which would guarantee them a hefty payout regardless of whether he or Federer comes out on top," added Sharpe.
"This is one of the most remarkable bets we have ever accepted and is appropriate as William Hill are the only bookmakers ever to have operated a betting marquee at Wimbledon."