This tennis star defied royal protocol at Wimbledon and acknowledged receiving a “slap on the wrist” from the All England Club
Pat Cash broke royal protocol at Wimbledon(Image: BBC)
Pat Cash has admitted to flouting royal protocol at Wimbledon. The 1987 champion clambered through the Centre Court stands to embrace his family and team in his player box following his straight-sets victory over Ivan Lendl.
It is a celebration that has passed into tennis folklore and been replicated by numerous champions ever since. Wimbledon has even installed a gate to allow easier access.
However, the 61-year-old has disclosed that he was reprimanded by Wimbledon officials and pledged not to repeat the gesture, having kept Princess Diana, who was present in the Royal Box, waiting for the trophy ceremony to begin.
Cash was reflecting on the moment during the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage on Friday, drawing comparisons to Princess Kate arriving to watch Arthur Fery on Court 3 on Thursday morning.
“I did [have royals watching my match], I was climbing up the stands all those years ago,” Cash reflected. “Princess Diana was there. I got told off because I kept the royals waiting by climbing through the stand.
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“I got a wrist slap from the club. I promised to never do it again – with my fingers crossed firmly behind my back. But I never got the chance to do it again.”
Fery remains the sole British singles player to have advanced to the third round. The 23-year-old defeated Otto Virtanen to set up a meeting with Belgian opponent Zizou Bergs.
The young Brit was left stunned upon learning that the Princess of Wales had arrived early specifically to watch him compete. Fery said: “I didn’t know she was coming.
“I didn’t know that, yeah, that was the case. So I can’t really answer your question. Yeah, I mean, it’s obviously an honor to play in front of her.
“Yeah, I guess if I’d known, it would have maybe made me a little tight. Yeah, I guess it’s an honor to play in front of her.”
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