Photo: Eisele/Giubilo/ZimmerPrince William and the Duchess of Cambridge join a Mexican wave with ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti
A royal wave
Spectators on Court 1 could be forgiven for being oblivious to the fact they were in royal company on Thursday afternoon – because it’s not every day you see an heir to the throne joining crowds in a Mexican wave!
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – known affectionately as Wills & Kate – celebrated Andy Murray’s quarterfinal win over Spain’s Nicolas Almagro alongside ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti. The popular couple were naturally a big attraction as they strolled through the grounds after the match to lunch in the member’s area.
Murray was just as thrilled as the fans to have the royal couple in the stands, so much so that he made a special request after his post-match interviews to pop along to meet them!
Illustrious line-up
London 2012 is proving to be the hottest Olympic Tennis Event in history, with six of the eight singles semifinalists all having been crowned Grand Slam champions. And for the first time in history, seven nations are in the running for a medal in the singles events. Tennis is truly on the world map!
Famous faces
Those eagled-eyed of you would have spotted in the photo above that British Olympic skeleton gold medallist Amy Williams was also in attendance to witness fellow torchbearer Andy Murray cruise into the semifinals.
At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Williams became the first British individual gold medallist at a Winter Games for 30 years, and also the only British gold medallist in Vancouver.
The pressure of becoming Britain’s first gold medallist of London 2012 has fortunately passed for Murray, but he can still create history here by winning Britain a gold medal in Olympic tennis for the first time since 1912, when Edith Hannam defeated Denmark’s Sofie Castenschiold in the indoor event in Stockholm.
Immediately after Murray’s match, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark arrived on Court 1 to once again show his support for Caroline Wozniacki, who faced off against Serena Williams.
Other royal faces in the grounds include HM King Constantine of Greece and his wife Queen Anne-Marie, Crown Prince of Tonga Tupouto’a ’Ukukalala and his wife Princess Sinaitakala Fakafanua.
President of Singapore HE Dr Keng Yam Tony Tam was also enjoying the tennis on Day 6.