The highly anticipated Wimbledon 2024 final will see Novak Djokovic face off against Carlos Alcaraz, with the match scheduled to start at 6:30 PM (India time). Adding to the excitement, a special guest will be in attendance: Kate Middleton. Kensington Palace has confirmed that the Princess of Wales will grace the event, marking her second public appearance since stepping back from public duties following her cancer diagnosis in March.
Kate first appeared publicly at Trooping the Colour on June 15th. This time, she will be present to witness a thrilling match between two tennis giants. Djokovic, aiming to equal Roger Federer’s record of 8 Wimbledon titles in the Open Era, will be battling against the defending champion, Alcaraz. A victory would also make Djokovic, at 37, the oldest champion at the All England Club.
The two players have a history, with Djokovic leading their head-to-head matches 3-2. Alcaraz, however, stunned Djokovic last year by sealing a 5-set victory in the 2023 Wimbledon final.
Kate’s attendance at Wimbledon amidst her ongoing cancer treatment has been a cause of concern, with hopes high after her appearance at Trooping the Colour. Wimbledon had expressed readiness to wait until Sunday morning before arranging for someone else to present the trophy in case Kate couldn’t attend the final.
The All England Club, acknowledging Kate’s situation, had promised her “as much flexibility as possible” during her cancer treatment. Debbie Jevans, chair of the All England Club, had assured this flexibility.
Kate Middleton, known for her love of tennis since childhood, has been a regular presence at Wimbledon, serving as a Patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club since 2016. She has only missed the tournament once, in 2013, due to her pregnancy with Prince George.
Her attendance at Wimbledon this year is a testament to her dedication to the sport and her resilience in the face of her health challenges. It is a moment of inspiration for all those who have faced their own struggles.
