‘Tis the season for Strawberries and Cream!
In the world of tennis enthusiasts, there is an eagerly anticipated event that exudes sheer elegance: the grass-court spectacle. Every year, during late June and early July, athletes and A-listers flock to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, United Kingdom to experience the prestige and sporting excellence that Wimbledon has to offer.
Every rendition of The Championships has preserved timeless English traditions that distinguish it from its sister grand slams. From the iconic all-white dress code to the exquisite indulgence of strawberries and cream, the refreshing sips of Pimm’s beverage, and the allure of the Royal Box, nothing exudes refinement like Wimbledon. Although the tournament has been running for over 140 years, every year is filled with unforgettable moments within and beyond the tennis court. Here are all the highlights of this year’s edition of the SW19.
Kate Middleton’s Chic Tennis-core Ensembles
The Princess of Wales, a renowned tennis aficionado, has made frequent appearances at the Royal Box of Wimbledon over the years. This season, she graced the verdant courts looking stylish and serving regal tennis-core. For her initial appearance, Kate wore a mint Balmain blazer paired with a white pleated skirt. However, it was during the Ladies’ Singles Finals that she truly stole the spotlight, captivating with her Lime Coucle Collard Chiffon Midi Dress, which playfully resembles the iconic Dunlop Slazenger tennis balls (which btw, is manufactured in Bataan, Philippines!).
Elina Svitolina Fan Girling Over Harry Styles
Elina Svitolina was a force to be reckoned with when she unexpectedly reached the semi-finals as a wildcard after welcoming her first child with French tennis pro, Gaël Monfils. In a social media post, Elina revealed that she was planning to see Harry Styles live in Vienna, but had to miss it due to her unexpected success in The Championships. “I hope Harry’s watching as maybe… I’m just a big fan of his so you know…” Elina playfully sent out hand hearts to the “As It Was” singer. Harry, being the sweetheart that he is, then responded to the post, inviting the Ukranian to his other shows: “Congratulations! We have four shows to go, you’re welcome at any of them. Good luck with the rest of the tournament. H,” he wrote.
Roger Federer Remembers to Bring His Membership Card
What is Wimbledon without the myth and the legend, Roger Federer? After retiring from tennis last year, Federer has been frequenting tournaments from the sidelines – this time in the Royal Box adjacent to his wife, Mirka, and the Princess of Wales. The eight-time Wimbledon champion was honored on Centre Court as he supported Andy Murray in his first-round match against Ryan Peniston. In an Instagram post, Roger joked about remembering to bring two membership cards, after security hilariously refused to let him in the SW19 last year for not having his card. Very cheeky, Roger!
Ons Jabeur Meets Her Football Idol
The Championships have been a rollercoaster of emotions for the Tunisian after failing to secure the Ladies’ Singles Final against Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova respectively, two years in a row. Nevertheless, Ons, dubbed by the internet as the “minister of happiness” quickly became a crowd favorite for her affability and determination on court. Being vocal about her love for football, Ons also entertained the crowd with her fancy footwork while playing on the grass surface, saying she felt like imitating Cristiano Ronaldo. The runner-up even got to meet David Beckham himself. “I’m glad my husband let me just give him a hug,” Ons quipped.
Venus Williams Rocks Pink Hair for 26th Year in SW19
We might be missing Serena Williams from the tournament, but her sister Venus is still back at it with her pink cotton-candy-dyed hair. Barbie vibes much? The five-time Wimbledon champion came back to competitive tennis after an injury in March 2023 but quickly lost to Elina Svitolina in straight sets in the first round. Despite onlookers speculating rumors about her retirement, the older Williams proves that her love for her sport transcends the limitations of age, entering Wimbledon for the 26th time in her career. “You win and lose in life. You can’t cry when you are losing. You have to get to learning,” she wrote positively in an Instagram post about her loss to Svitolina.
The Carota Boys Cheer for Jannik
Nothing is as quirky as Jannik Sinner’s carrot-costumed cheering squad running around the grounds of the All England Club. These dancing bright-orange figures captured the attention of tennis fans in London when they came to support their idol, Jannik in his road to the semi-finals. The five Italian boys who named themselves Alessandro, Lorenzo, Enrico, Alberto, and Gianluca humorously documented their trip to London on their Instagram page. The devoted carrot club was inspired by the tennis player’s orange hair and his snacking on carrots in Vienna. At Jannik’s third win, he gave a special shoutout to his funny supporters: “Obviously, I miss them a lot. Ya, maybe they’re watching now (on TV). So, I’m saying hi. Hope you’re very well at home, not working too much,” he said in an interview.
Crowd Cheers for Referee in Rain Delay
Who said rain delays can’t be fun? The Wimbledon crowd hilariously shared a moment of solidarity by cheering for the female referee with “Oohs” and “Eyys” every time she swiped to check on the grass surface. Many people commented on the reel, saying it was British humor at its finest.
Carlos Alcaraz Breaks the “Big Four” Championship Streak
For the first time since 2002, the name engraved on the Gentleman’s Singles Trophy won’t be Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, or Novak Djokovic. After a grueling five-sets, 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz has made history with his maiden Wimbledon title. This unbelievable victory retains Alcaraz’s spot as the World No. 1 in the ATP Tour rankings, proving that he is indeed the bright future of the sport. Fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal who was the only “big four” absent from the grand slam extended his congratulations through a social media post. “A very strong hug and enjoy the moment, Champion!!!” he wrote.