Sacha Baron Cohen, the acclaimed actor and comedian, reprised his famous Ali G character at Wimbledon on Sunday, drawing attention amid rumors of a new film production. Dressed in a distinctive white and green tracksuit adorned with "Da Championshipz" and a leaf emblem, Cohen, 54, occupied a seat on Centre Court during the men's singles final.
The tracksuit also featured "Official Ganja Dealer" on the back. Cohen completed the look with a hat, a prominent gold chain, and his signature tinted glasses, complete with the character's known facial hair and attitude. He was visible on the BBC's coverage of the match, which saw Jannik Sinner defeat Alexander Zverev.
Speaking from the crowd in an Instagram video, Ali G delivered a comedic commentary on the event, referring to tennis as a "c*** version of ping pong" and humorously suggesting he intended to sell grass during his time at Wimbledon. He also alluded to being easily found among the attendees and offered "herbal remedies." The post was captioned, "I iz BACK! And if u iz at dis borin wimbledore final lookin 2 get grand slammed, I iz here wif de hookup. dm me, especially if u iz fit." Cohen also promoted DVD box sets of his television series, stating he had "10,000 of dem" available for "free pickup in the northwest surrey area."
Cohen had previously attended Wimbledon on Saturday, the day before, dressed as himself in a white suit and green shirt. The appearance of Ali G at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club prompted a strong reaction on social media platform X, with fans expressing surprise and delight.
Last year, reports emerged that Cohen was planning to revive the Ali G character more than two decades after his initial appearance. He was observed filming new material in character at a wildlife park in the Cotswolds, sporting a colorful crocheted rastacap, gold jewelry, and tinted shades. A source at the time described him as being in full character and comfortable in the role, noting an updated wardrobe while retaining the essential elements of the character.
Ali G, known for his catchphrase "Is it coz I is black?", first appeared in 1998 on Channel 4's "The 11 O'Clock Show." The character's popularity led to "Da Ali G Show" and the 2002 film "Ali G Indahouse." While the specific format or details of any new project remain undisclosed, the recent sightings suggest a potential return for the beloved satirical figure.
The Wimbledon men's singles final itself was a star-studded event, with numerous celebrities in attendance, including Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Kidman, Dame Anna Wintour, Ben Stiller, Rami Malek, and members of the British Royal Family. Cohen's return as Ali G added another layer of high-profile entertainment to the day's proceedings.