A glittering array of stars were in Wimbledon’s Royal Box on Friday to watch British tennis sensation Arthur Fery bid to reach the men’s final.
Fery, 23, is already the first British wildcard to reach the Wimbledon semis in the open era - and was hoping to go one better against world no2 Alexander Zverev, helped on by a raucous crowd packed inside Centre Court.
Among the VIPs with the best seats in the house were legendary British editor Dame Anna Wintour, making her return to the 2026 Championships, who was pictured alongside the Oscar-nominated Moulin Rouge! and Romeo and Juliet film director Baz Luhrmann.
Acclaimed fashion designer Tom Ford also joined the pair in the box alongside British actor George MacKay, who is starring in the upcoming Sense and Sensibility film adaptation alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones.
Another making their second appearance at Wimbledon this year was Benedict Cumberbatch, who took his seat in the Royal Box alongside his wife, theatre director Sophie Hunter. In front of Cumberbatch sat broadcaster and comedian Sandi Toksvig alongside Damian Lewis.
Actors Martin Freeman and journalist and documentary film-maker Louis Theroux were also among the famous names, along with Night Manager star, actor and comedian Hugh Laurie.
And from the world of sport, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dyke was also in the Royal Box - back in the UK following the Dutch national side’s exit from the World Cup at the hands of Morocco on June 30. While Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was also in attendance.
As if the Fery v Zverev match wasn’t enough to whet the appetite, Novak Djokavic was set to take on world number one Jannik Sinner in the second men’s semi-final on Centre Court.
Djokovic, 39, was bidding for a record 25th grand slam but faced an almighty task taking on Sinner, who won his fourth singles grand slam at Wimbledon last year and had not lost a set in the previous four rounds.
First up, Fery returns at Wimbledon on Friday as the men’s singles semi-finals take centre stage.
The Briton is looking to become the first home hope to reach the final at the All England Club in a decade, 10 years on from Sir Andy Murray’s second triumph in 2016.
The 23-year-old is also the second wildcard entry to reach the last four, after Goran Ivanisevic in 2001. The Croat went on to beat Pat Rafter and lift the trophy 25 years ago, defeating Greg Rusedski and Tim Henman en route.
Fery opened play on Centre Court on Friday against the second seed Alexander Zverev, booking his semi-final spot with a stunning straight-sets victory over ninth seed Flavio Cobolli, who he had already defeated at the Australian Open in his first major shock. But sadly the Brit’s Wimbledon dream ended in a straight sets defeat to the second seed.
Zverev, the French Open champion, progressed after his own three-set win over Taylor Fritz out on Court No1.
All the famous faces at Wimbledon day 12
