UNRECOGNISABLE FORMER WIMBLEDON CHAMPION ENJOYS 'PARENTS' DAY OUT', BACK ON CENTRE COURT ALONGSIDE HER BRITISH BOYFRIEND IN THE ROYAL BOX

• Celebrities have descended on SW19 to take in drama of this year's competition
• Likes of David Beckham and Sir David Attenborough sat in Royal Box on day two
• Ex-Prime Minister Theresa May was spotted in esteemed section on Wednesday 

Tennis fans were treated to a host of famous faces in the Royal Box on Centre Court on day three of Wimbledon, including a former SW19 champion. 

The third Grand Slam on the calendar is often a magnetic for celebrities, especially on the showpiece court at the All England Club. 

David Beckham and Sir David Attenborough were in attendance on Tuesday and with a schedule that included the world No 1 Jannik Sinner and Grand Slam winner Daniil Medvedev - it was always going to be a popular draw. 

Former Prime Minister Theresa May and professional golfer Justin Rose caught plenty of attention but it was the appearance of a former winner that garnered the most interest. 

Centre Court was graced by the appearance of Russian five-time Grand Slam champion, Maria Sharapova, who retired from the game in 2020, and her British fiancé Alexander Gilkes.

The couple, who announced the birth of their first child Theodore in 2022, were all smiles as they watched from the Royal Box. 

The 47-year-old's attendance came ahead of throwing an intimate party to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her first Wimbledon title. 

Sharapova first shot to fame when she beat top seed and defending champion Serena Williams at Wimbledon to claim her first Grand Slam at the age of just 17. 

The event, hosted by Imran Amed and Kristina Romanova at The Twenty Two in London, was attended by stars including Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina, Joel Edgerton and Rita Ora and her husband Taika Waititi.

While the dinner was even given a royal touch, with the arrival of Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.

During her storied time on court, she became the first Russian player to complete the career Grand Slam after wins in Melbourne, New York, Paris and London and the third-youngest woman to triumph at Wimbledon.

She retired from playing tennis four years ago after battling with injuries, but had the final years of her time in the sport marred by a failed drugs test.

A 2016 test saw her suspended for two years after she was found to have ingested meldonium, a substance which had been banned at the start of that year, ahead of the Australian Open.

Her suspension was later reduced to 15 months after she was found to have taken the drug as per her doctor's advice.

Her last appearance as a player at Wimbledon came in 2010 when Maria retired from her first round contest against Pauline Parmentier with an injury.

Announcing her retirement in February 2020, she wrote in a statement to Vanity Fair: 'How do you leave behind the only life you've ever known? 

'How do you walk away from the courts you've trained on since you were a little girl, the game that you love – one which brought you untold tears and unspeakable joys – a sport where you found a family, along with fans who rallied behind you for more than 28 years?

'I'm new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis – I'm saying goodbye,' she concluded.

Sharapova and Gilkes, 44, were first linked at the start of 2018.

The couple had attended Wimbledon tennis together earlier on Wednesday, where they were pictured smiling in the royal box.

Gilkes married New York fashion designer and Meghan Markle's close friend Misha Nonoo in 2012, but they split in 2016.

The art auctioneer, who speaks fluent Russian, is also the co-founder of Squared Circles and auction platform Paddle 8.

Gilkes is known to have attended Eugenie's wedding to Jack Brooksbank in 2018.

Pippa Middleton, thought to be a former flame of his younger brother Charlie, and James Middleton were also at the wedding, while his friends are said to include Sir Elton John, Madonna and Eddie Redmayne.

Gilkes also attended both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May 2018 and Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge's in April 2011.

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2024-07-04T13:23:19Z dg43tfdfdgfd