The Royal Box at Wimbledon is where the most popular celebrities attending Wimbledon over the fortnight are spotted, enjoying the action at tennis’ most famous Grand Slam. Usually they are spotted cheering, clapping and what not but on Wednesday, during the quarterfinal between Novak Djokovic and Flavio Cobolli, British actor Hugh Grant was caught apparently nodding off. During the tense first set tiebreak between the 24-time Major winner and another rising Italian star, the camera panned to the Notting Hill star, who had his head tilted to the right, slowly nodding.
And although one can’t be a 100% certain if that was him sleeping as he was wearing sunglasses, all signs point to the 64-year-old taking perhaps a power nap. BBC Sport posted a clip on X with the caption: “It’s all got a bit too much for Hugh Grant,” followed by the sleeping face emoji and the face with tears of joy emoji.
Djokovic and Cobolli struck such a soothing tenor, like a loopy harp, or a calming breeze, or a happy lyric, or a filling lunch that Grant paid perhaps he match the ultimate nod. He napped. The Serbian superstar, who went on to drop that tiebreaker, eventually beat No. 22 seed Cobolli 6-7 (6), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 to set up a semifinal against No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who ousted No. 10 Ben Shelton 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4.
TMZ went with a rather witty headline: “Tennis Is Fine… But I Love Sleep, Actually!!!” That, of course, is a reference to popular movie ‘Love Actually’ where Grant plays the British Prime Minister. Coincidentally, former Prime Minister Sir John Major was also in attendance on Wednesday.
According to the Wimbledon website, which does a daily roll call for Royal Box: “As for Sir John Major himself, his famed political slogan “Back to Basics” was a ready reminder should Mirra Andreeva, Belinda Bencic, Flavio Cobolli or Novak Djokovic struggle with a sudden dip in form on the Centre Court grass below. In a glorious collision of associations, there too was Hugh Grant – the prime minister who danced athletically down the stairs and around a fictional No.10 to the Pointer Sisters’ ‘Jump!’ in the Richard Curtis romcom, Love, Actually.”
What is the Royal Box?
The Royal Box is where the most popular celebrities are spotted, dressed impeccably, overt the course two weeks at Wimbledon. While the name obviously lends itself to the presence of members from the British Royal Family, it isn’t restricted to them. This year, the likes of David Beckham, Roger Federer have been among some of the most popular attendees among former sportspersons.
Accoridng to the official Wimbledon website: “British and overseas Royal Families are invited as well as heads of government, people from the world of tennis, commercial partners, British armed forces, prominent media organisations, supporters of British tennis and other walks of life. Invitations come from the Chair of the All England Club, taking into account suggestions from members of The Championships’ Organising Committee, The Lawn Tennis Association and other relevant sources.”
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Queen visits
Queen Camilla returned to Wimbledon for Wednesday’s quarterfinal matches a year after joining in “the wave” with a No. 1 Court crowd. Camilla, the wife of King Charles III, visited with All England Club chair Debbie Jevans in the morning before play got started at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament.
At Centre Court, Camilla watched as unseeded Belinda Bencic beat No. 7 Mirra Andreeva 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2). Earlier, Camilla spoke to seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic and met lead groundsperson Will Brierley, lead gardener Robin Murphy, heritage collections manager Malin Lundin, as well as a ball girl and ball boy.
Djokovic declined to say what he and Camilla spoke about but said it was “a nice exchange.” “Of course, it’s a great honor and privilege for me to be able to shake hands with the Queen of England. I’ve had that honor, as well, 2010, with the late Queen Elizabeth,” he said.
(With AP inputs)
