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. 13 Maria Sharapova rocked a brilliant white number for Wimbledon ladies' final day Credit: PA 13 Maya Jama was all smiles on arrival at the All England Club Credit: Getty 13 Huge tennis fan Hugh Jackman was a guest in the Royal Box Credit: Getty 13 Tom Cruise waved to fans from the hospitality section Credit: Darren Fletcher 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. Most read in Tennis MOUTHING OFF TRNSMT fans in shock as BBC star storms stage of Example's headline set 'AREA FULL' TRNSMT crowd chaos leaves fans gutted as stage closed off before headline show WHAT A KATCH Celtic make move for Kasper Schmeichel as talks open for blockbuster deal FILL YOU IN TRNSMT’s first secret act revealed as chart legend shocks fans with performance BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER S 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.
Serena Williams reignites infamous 'feud' with Maria Sharapova as she shows off hidden talent on live TV as ESPY Awards Follow all the latest news from Wimbledon 🍓 WE'VE got Wimbledon covered - with our top team at the home of tennis. 🍓 Read all the latest news and gossip from SW19 in our BRILLIANT LIVE BLOG. 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. Read more on the Scottish Sun 'AREA FULL' TRNSMT crowd chaos leaves fans gutted as stage closed off before headline show OPEN SEASON Inside Scotland’s ‘hidden gem’ golf courses you can play for under £45 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. 13 Pierce Brosnan enjoyed a special lunch before play got underway Credit: Getty 13 Jama wore a gorgeous two-piece number Credit: Getty 13 Jill Scott opted for a purple outfit after returning from the Euros in Germany Credit: PA 13 Sam Mendes and wife Alison walked into the All England Club hand in hand Credit: PA 13 Jenna Coleman looked radiant at the tennis Credit: Getty 13 Jess Glynne went for a bold pinstripe number as she sipped on Pimm's Credit: Getty 13 Princess Kate is due to be at Wimbledon on Sunday to present the trophy to the men's winner Credit: Getty 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 13 The top 10 richest stars in tennis 13.
