As Wimbledon hits its halfway mark, Centre Court wasn’t just about thrilling rallies and championship points—it was also the place to be seen.
Despite the absence of royals in the Royal Box this Sunday, the guest list was no less impressive.
Sporting legends and Olympic champions took centre stage in the stands, bringing their own winning energy to one of Britain’s most iconic summer events.
Sporting Icons Swap Stadiums for Centre Court
Day seven of the tournament saw the Royal Box buzzing with familiar faces from the world of sport.
Veteran sports pundit Chris Kamara and cricketing great Brian Lara were in attendance, representing two of the UK’s most beloved games.
Joining them were Olympic and Paralympic heroes from Team GB, including cycling gold medalists Jenny Holl and Sophie Unwin, and swimming stars like Tom Dean, James Guy, and Matthew Richards.
Wheelchair tennis champ Gordon Reid and his doubles partner Alfie Hewett brought their winning charm courtside.
Track star Hannah Cockroft, equestrian icon Ros Canter, and Paralympic swimming phenoms like Rhys Darbey and Louise Fiddes also added to the atmosphere.
The Centre Court Line-Up
The crowd inside Wimbledon was treated to a fourth-round ladies’ singles match between Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Britain’s hopeful Sonay Kartal.
Pavlyuchenkova claimed the win, pushing Kartal out of the competition.
Later in the day, reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz prepared to face Andrey Rublev, raising the stakes even higher.
Fashion, Flair and Sportsmanship in the Royal Box
It wasn’t just the matches that had fans turning their heads.
Many of the sporting VIPs brought a dose of off-duty elegance to SW19.
Jenny Holl stunned in a floral blue dress seated beside her tandem partner Sophie Unwin.
Tom Dean—a multiple medal winner and MBE recipient—made a dashing appearance alongside other top swimmers like Duncan Scott and Ashley Ransome.
Meanwhile, Paralympic canoeing legend Charlotte Henshaw and swimmer Tully Kearney added a touch of gold-medal prestige to the day.
Star Athletes Who Stole the Show
Among the standout attendees were:
- Mark Foster, the retired swimmer with eight world records under his belt.
- Finlay Graham, para-cyclist and reigning world champ.
- Jodie Grinham, who made history at the Paris Paralympics while seven months pregnant.
- Samantha Kinghorn, TV presenter and Britain’s fastest female wheelchair racer.
The Royal Box also welcomed representatives from the world of coaching and sporting policy, such as Jacquie Hughes, further showcasing the event’s wide appeal.
Wimbledon Keeps Drawing the Best of Britain
This year’s middle Sunday proved yet again that Wimbledon is more than just a tennis tournament.
It’s a celebration of excellence, sportsmanship, and British pride.
As play continues into the second week, one thing is certain: whether it’s on the court or in the crowd, the stars always shine at SW19.