 | « Back to article | Print this article |
The biggest Grand Slam of the year is upon us.
As the stars of tennis sweat it out in pursuit of the Wimbledon Championship crown at the resplendent All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, stars of another planet descend on venue and watch their favourites in action.
Thursday, saw a sprinkle of those stars on the courts of Wimbledon.
Hollywood movie star Antonio Banderas was on Centre Court to support Spaniard Rafael Nadal in his second round match on Thursday.
"I am in #Wimbledon. The Nadal match is about to begin. Go @RafaelNadal!" Banderas tweeted with a photograph of himself.
Probably his cheers didn't reach Nadal's ears, as the former champion crashed out of the competition, losing 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to German qualifier Dustin Brown.
Earlier on Thursday, Prince Charles's wife, Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall was in the Royal Box to watch home favourite Andy Murray play his second-round match on Court One.
It was double joy for the Royal, as not only did Murray polish off Dutchman Robin Haase 6-1, 6-1, 6-4 in 87 minute, she also received Murray’s armband as a souvenir.
When she stood up to give the British number one a standing ovation for his commanding performance, little did she know that seconds later she would be the proud owner of a sweaty Murray wristband.
"I heard that she was coming today. I saw her briefly after the match," the 2013 champion said.
"But the wristband actually hit the chairman of Wimbledon. He was there with her. Normally you see who catches it. Then the Duchess opened up her bag and my wristband was in there, so he obviously had given it to her," grinned the Scottish third seed.
Another glamorous persona to grace the stands, was Anna Wintour the editor-in-chief of American fashion magazine, Vogue.
Wintour was at Centre Court to witness the 2nd round match between World No 2 Roger Federer and World No 17 Sam Querrey.
She watched as Federer, playing some stunning shots -- including the one between his legs -- was untroubled in a 6-4, 6-2 6-2 mauling of American Sam Querrey.