As the 2025 edition of Wimbledon got underway, the famed lawns of the All England Club weren’t just graced by elite tennis stars—but also by a glittering lineup of personalities from sport, film, and entertainment. Football and tennis icons headlined the list of sports personalities. Among the early arrivals was former tennis world No.1 and 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova, who won the title here as a 17-year-old. Sharapova, who is set to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame later this year, marked her return to SW19 (the postcode district for Wimbledon) with a selfie alongside David Beckham, captioned “Let the (Wimbledon) games begin.”
Beckham, an ever-popular presence at Wimbledon, was among the high-profile guests in the Royal Box, a traditional focal point of the tournament’s celebrity presence. The former England captain, who famously scored in three different FIFA World Cups, is currently co-owner of Inter Miami CF, the MLS club captained by Lionel Messi. The team recently made headlines after a 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at the Club World Cup in the USA. Beckham was accompanied by his mother Sandra, who accompanies him every year to the tournament.Former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate and sports business executive James Worrall were among others in attendance. Also spotted on Day 1 were Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne and his wife Hannah Bagshawe, both regulars at Centre Court. From the world of cricket, Stuart Broad, recently retired from international duty, was seen enjoying the action with his wife and pop star Mollie King, best known for her chart-topping hits with The Saturdays.
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With 74 exclusive seats, the Royal Box remains a hallmark of Wimbledon tradition. Invitations are extended by the Chairman of the All England Club, often based on recommendations from the tournament’s organising committee and The Lawn Tennis Association. As the tournament continues, the Royal Box promises more iconic appearances—offering tennis fans plenty to watch, both on and off the court.
