2023-07-16 19:56:39
“It’s special to play once morest royalty”said Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz following winning the Wimbledon championship this Sunday. And it is that the 20-year-old was surrounded by royalty: King Felipe VI of Spain attended the match in which his compatriot ended the reign of Novak Djokovic in an epic final, while the Princess of Wales presented him with the cup.
Alcaraz defeated seven-time champion Djokovic 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 to claim his first Wimbledon title and second in the majors. The relentless display of the 20-year-old Spaniard wore down Djokovic for 4 hours and 42 minutes, and the champion admitted that he was inspired by the presence of the Spanish monarch in the royal box.
Carlos Alcaraz was able to beat Novak Djokovic and was crowned champion at Wimbledon
“It’s special to play once morest royalty. King Felipe, I’m very proud that you’re here supporting me,” Alcaraz said. during their post-match interview on Center Court. “When I played in front of you twice, I won twice, I hope you will come more! It’s really special and I have to thank you for coming and supporting.”
In addition to the support of the Spanish king, Alcaraz, who won the US Open last year, became champion with members of the British royal family as witnesses: Prince William, Prince of Wales, was accompanied by his wife Kate and their two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
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The relationship of the British royal family with Wimbledon has been in force for a century, since future Kings George V and Mary (then Princes of Wales) attended the 1907 final, following he became president of the All England Club. Since then, a member of the royal family has been involved, either as chairman or patron.
For decades, it was the Duchess of Kent (Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin) who was in charge of presenting the trophy to the Wimbledon champions. Elizabeth II was patron of the All England Club from 1952 until 2016, when she retired from that role and handed over to Kate, the current Princess of Wales. The princess is a fixture at Wimbledon, especially since she the Duke of Kent gave him the presidency of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, a position he held from 1969.
The royal box (“royal box”) opened in 1922 and has been used ever since to accommodate members of the royal family, along with prominent personalities from the UK and abroad, including heads of state. Invitations come from the president of the All England Club, and guests are invited to the clubhouse for lunch, tea and drinks at the end of the day.
Now that he’s a champion, the world number one will be able to visit Wimbledon whenever he wants, as long as he remembers his membership card. “It’s such an iconic club. I know Roger Federer had trouble getting in without the card! I have to bring the card,” he said. “It’s really special to be a member of this amazing club. I will come for sure.”
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