**Princess of Wales Shares Heartfelt Congratulations with Jannik Sinner Following Wimbledon Triumph**
WIMBLEDON, LONDON — The All England Club served as the glittering backdrop for one of the most memorable Wimbledon men’s singles finals in recent years, as Italy’s Jannik Sinner secured his maiden title with an impressive four-set win over Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz on 13 July. Amongst a throng of famous faces and an electric atmosphere on Centre Court, it was the Princess of Wales who added a personal, touching moment to the proceedings with a heartfelt message to the new champion.
Sinner, who had been narrowly bested by Alcaraz only a month prior in the French Open final, overcame the reigning champion in a battle of stamina and skill, with final scores of 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. In attendance for the momentous occasion were A-list celebrities such as Matthew McConaughey, Nicole Kidman and Keira Knightley, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
As part of royal tradition, Princess Catherine took on the responsibility of presenting the gentlemen’s singles trophy, a role she has undertaken since becoming patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club in 2016. Dressed elegantly in blue and adorned with her signature Wimbledon “bow”—a knot of purple and green ribbon historically worn by club patrons—the Princess was warmly received with a standing ovation from the Centre Court crowd upon her entrance.
In a brief but poignant encounter on court, Princess Catherine shared a few private words with Sinner as he stepped forward to receive his trophy. According to analysis by expert lip reader Jeremy Freeman, the Princess told the new Wimbledon champion: “You played a great game, you did so well… enjoy your celebrations.” Her words, though simple, seemed to reflect a genuine appreciation for both the competition’s tradition and the determination shown by the 22-year-old Italian star.
Moments such as this underline the unique relationship between the royal family and Britain’s flagship tennis tournament, with Catherine’s vocal support and warm presence drawing enthusiastic cries of “I love you, Princess” from ardent fans in the stands throughout the day. In addition to congratulating Sinner, she also offered commiserations to Alcaraz, presenting him with the runner-up shield after his hard-fought effort.
In his post-match remarks on court, Alcaraz acknowledged the pain of defeat but graciously praised his rival. “It’s difficult to lose,” he confessed, adding: “I have to congratulate Jannik once again. It’s a really well-deserved trophy.” His comments echoed the mutual respect that has characterised their budding rivalry on the global stage.
Reflecting on his own journey to the crown, Sinner told the audience he was “very happy” to have kept his composure and described his victory as “an amazing feeling.” Addressing the disappointment he had experienced in Paris, Sinner urged perseverance: “It doesn’t really matter how you win or lose the important tournaments, you just have to understand what you did wrong and try to work on that.”
Spectators were also treated to a light-hearted moment of drama when a champagne cork landed on the court mid-match, prompting a reminder from umpire Alison Hughes for audience members to show restraint, ensuring the focus remained on the players.
The Princess of Wales’s involvement at Wimbledon has become a beloved fixture, continuing a legacy that stretches back to Queen Elizabeth II, who was royal patron for 64 years. Catherine’s grace and sportsmanship have cemented her role in the hearts of both tennis enthusiasts and the British public.
As the curtain closes on another thrilling Wimbledon fortnight, the camaraderie and sporting spirit displayed by both Jannik Sinner and the Royal Family stand as a reminder of why this historic tournament remains such a cherished part of Britain’s summer.