AN EX-WIMBLEDON champion starred in the spotlight of the Royal Box – exactly 20 years on from her stunning win.
At the tender age of just 17, she emphatically put herself on the global sporting map by winning the ladies’ singles in 2004, shocking Serena Williams in the final.
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That also guaranteed her the star – worth £150million – the priceless and prestigious honour of a lifetime membership at the All England Club in South-West London.
And today Maria Sharapova headed back to SW19, this time as a guest in the Royal Box – just as she did last week on Day Three of the 2024 Championships.
The Russian, who hung up her tennis racquet as she retired in 2020, was joined by her fiance Alexander Gilkes in the posh seats to watch the ladies’ singles final between Jasmine Paolini and Barbora Krejcikova on Centre Court.
The superstar couple are enjoying massive success in the business world with their growing empire.
They have been together since 2018, got engaged in December 2020 and welcomed their son 18 months later.
Sharapova glowed in a classy Wimbledon whites number and was joined in the Wimbledon Royal Box to watch the ladies’ singles final by a host of other big names – from the sporting and entertainment worlds.
Wimbledon icon Sue Barker took her seat in amongst former ladies’ champions Marion Bartoli, Ann Jones, Billie Jean King, Conchita Martinez and nine-time winner Martina Navratilova.
Back from Euro 2024 punditry duties in Germany, ex-England footballer Jill Scott headed into the exclusive area – a week on from Sporting Saturday at Wimbledon.
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Then, Scott’s former Lionesses team-mate Leah Williamson sat alongside Roy Hodgson and Pep Guardiola, who was offered a new coaching job by Alexander Zverev.
Legendary actor Hugh Jackman, director Sam Mendes, singer Ellie Goulding and former Strictly judge Darcey Bussell were also in the Royal Box for Paolini against Krejcikova.
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Maya Jama, Tom Cruise and Pierce Brosnan also got an invite – but they were in the hospitality seats rather than the Royal Box.
The £2.7million showdown match was followed on the order of play by Brit Henry Patten in the men’s doubles final with Finnish partner Harri Heliovaara against Aussie pairing Max Purcell and Jordan Thomspon and then the ladies’ doubles final.
However, Princess Kate did not join them today.
The Princess of Wales – who has been undergoing cancer treatment – is the patron of the All England Club and presented the trophies last year.
However, she will not be in attendance for the women’s final – instead passing over the trophy ceremony duties to Debbie Jevans, Chair of the AELTC.
But Kensington Palace confirmed Kate would attend the men’s final tomorrow and hand over the trophy to Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic, a year on from the Spaniard’s epic five-set thrilling win.
Kate was last seen in public at Trooping the Colour on June 15 – with Prince William proudly standing at her side.
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