Former Wimbledon champion looks unrecognisable in Royal Box as ex-PM Theresa May and Ryder Cup star make appearances
A FORMER Wimbledon champion stole the show in the Royal Box – 20 years on from her sensational victory.
Aged just 17, she announced herself on the global stage by winning the ladies’ singles in 2004, beating Serena Williams in the final.
That also secured her life membership at the prestigious club in South-West London.
And today Maria Sharapova headed back to SW19, this time as a guest in the Royal Box.
The Russian, who retired from tennis in 2020, was joined by her fiance Alexander Gilkes in the posh seats.
The pair are both enjoying plenty of success in the business world with their growing empire.
Together since 2018, they got engaged in December 2020 and welcomed their son 18 months later.
Sharapova got the perfect view to watch her Russian compatriot Daniil Medvedev on Centre, with the No5 seed facing Alexandre Muller before Naomi Osaka vs Emma Navarri.
Finishing off Centre for the day is world No1 Jannik Sinner up against fellow Italian and 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini.
Also invited into the Royal Box on Day Three was another former tennis star Daniela Hantuchova.
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Ironically, Sharapova had a 9-1 winning record against the Slovak – including a 6-3 6-1 win in the third round during that memorable 2004 run at Wimbledon.
There was more sporting royalty alongside them in the shape of four-time Ryder Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist Justin Rose.
Tennis stars’ new careers
PLENTY of tennis stars have stayed involved in the sport since retiring.
But others pursued very different careers. Here are some of the best…
- I reached French Open and Wimbledon finals as a teenager but I quit to become a nun
- I won Wimbledon mixed doubles with my sister but got fed up with English weather so now run luxury B&B
- I was tipped for stardom aged 12 but retrained to become high-flying lawyer
- I earned £9m and won French Open before setting up bistro with Brazilian model girlfriend
- I’m last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, now I’m singer with six albums hitting No1 in charts
- I’m former world No1 but quit aged 29 – instead I went on to play professional poker and golf
- I was destined for the top but swapped lobs for labs as award-winning Harvard physicist
The Englishman looked dapper as he arrived at the All England Club with his wife Kate.
On the day before the General Election, former Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband Sir Philip May took their seats in the Royal Box, too – as did HRH The Duchess of Gloucester.
The nation goes to the ballots tomorrow but for the first time since 1997, there will be a new MP representing Maidenhead.
May, who led the country from 2016 to 2019, announced in March she was stepping down as an MP after 27 years at the upcoming election.
And Arsenal fans may be hoping their board are working on transfers ahead of the new Premier League season.
But CEO Vinai Venkatesham is stepping down this summer – so is making the most of some free time by spending a day watching the tennis.
Elsewhere, the likes of Dermot O’Leary, Marvin and Rochelle Humes, Emma Thynn, Joel Dommett and Hannah Copper were among the celebs to enjoy the hospitality at Wimbledon.
Wimbledon 2024 prize money
PRIZE MONEY for the 2024 Wimbledon Championships is a new record – and puts the grass-court Slam at the top of the tree.
The All England Club will dish out £50million across all the events – an increase of £5.3m and 11.9 per cent on last year, where singles champions Carlos Alcaraz and Marketa Vondrousova picked up £2.35m each.
However, the king and queen of grass this July will collect an extra £350,000 – taking the winner’s earnings to £2.7m.
Here is the breakdown for the 2024 Wimbledon singles prize money:
- Winner: £2.7m
- Runner-up: £1.4m
- Semi-finalists: £715,000
- Quarter-finalists: £375,000
- Fourth round: £226,000
- Third round: £143,000
- Second round: £93,000
- First round: £60,000
- Overall total: £50m