Kate Middleton Holds Baby at Cambridgeshire County Day
Wimbledon has returned at full capacity for the first time in three years, since the outbreak of coronavirus and national restrictions, and so far it is 11 percent lower compared to 2019. Tennis enthusiasts attributed the lower-than-expected turnout to fewer international spectators due to the absence of grand slam legend Roger Federer. The Swiss champion is not taking part in this year’s tournament as he is still recovering after undergoing knee surgery last year.
Federer had surgery on his right knee shortly after taking part in Wimbledon 2021.
The tennis star, who is close friends with Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, lost to Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals of the competition.
His royal friend could not encourage him from the sidelines as the Duchess was in self-isolation after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Federer is reportedly friendly with the entire Middleton family, after forming a friendship with Pippa Matthews when she interviewed the tennis ace for Vanity Fair at the time of Wimbledon 2013.
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Kate stunned royal fans when she kissed Roger Federer three times. (Image: Getty Images)
Roger Federer and his wife Mirka attended the wedding of Pippa and James Matthews. (Image: Getty Images)
Kate, who currently holds the royal protection of the All England Club, has become a permanent match in the Royal Box at Center Court.
In 2017, Kate cheered on Federer to win his record eighth Wimbledon men’s title against Croatian Marin Cilic.
The Duchess was accompanied by her husband, Prince William, and other famous faces, including actors Hugh Grant and Bradley Cooper, and then-Prime Minister Theresa May.
Kate and William later congratulated the champion, and the Duchess shocked royal fans by giving Federer not one, not two, but three kisses after making tennis history.
Federer came out on top at Wimbledon 2017. (Image: Getty Images)
One royal viewer tweeted: “The Duchess of Cambridge, aka Kate Middleton, gave @rogerfederer 3 kisses. I thought it was an exclusive #Dutch phenomenon.”
While another added: “WHAAAAAAT KATE GOT THREE KISSES FROM @rogerfederer”
It can be assumed that Kate broke the typical British greeting protocol of one or two kisses because Federer is from Switzerland, where it was customary for friends to greet each other with three kisses – first on the right cheek, then left, then right again.
Federer then shook hands with Kate’s husband, Prince William.
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Kate, Duchess of Cambridge kisses Roger Federer on the cheek (Image: GameJester / YouTube)
Before meeting the royal couple, the athlete embraced his wife Mirka who encouraged him throughout the tournament.
At the time, Wimbledon tweeted: “Druskies, kisses and handshakes from royalty and family for the #Wimbledon champion.”
Further details of Federer’s friendship with the royals came to light after their exchange, with reports revealing that the tennis superstar had given Prince George a private tennis lesson at Carole and Michael Middleton’s home in Bucklebury.
After the lesson, Federer described the heir to the throne as a “sweet boy” and praised his skills in the sport.
He told reporters at Wimbledon 2019: “I like to see that they are [royal children] in tennis or in sports, “adding that the eight-year-old prince had a” good swing “.
Federer continued: “His mother has always enjoyed tennis. I hope he will remain the same in a few years and it is not just an in-the-moment situation. “
When asked about a remark Kate made during a royal engagement that he was George’s favorite tennis player, Federer said: “I think I have a bit of an advantage that I actually spent time with him, so maybe I’m the only player he’s ever met.
“Then you have a bit of an advantage in who your favorite player is.”
Kate is an avid tennis player and has been since she was a child. (Image: Getty Images)
And it turns out that it was not just George who had a soft spot for the sports star.
In a 2017 documentary titled, ‘Sue Barker: Our Wimbledon’, Kate revealed her mother was crazy about the tennis player.
She told the host, “Roger is my mother’s heartbreaker. I don’t think she would mind saying that! I think he probably knows that too.”