Tennis icon Roger Federer demonstrated his characteristic politeness at Wimbledon on Monday, pausing a conversation with Carole and Pippa Middleton to greet cheering fans. The eight-time Wimbledon champion, who is understood to have a long-standing friendship with the Middleton family, was seated with the mother and sister of the Princess of Wales in the Royal Box.
Footage shared on Instagram captured the moment Federer turned from his table to acknowledge the crowd, with Carole and Pippa Middleton appearing to share in the pleasantries. The pair, who were seated behind Federer, watched as the tennis star interacted with fans before they all moved towards the Champions' balcony in the Clubhouse.
Federer, 44, has known the Middletons for many years. His wife, Mirka, and he attended Pippa Middleton's wedding to James Matthews in 2017. Federer and Pippa Middleton have also been seen together at dinners in London, and it is believed their friendship began after meeting at Wimbledon, where Pippa interviewed him for Vanity Fair magazine in 2013.
During the interview, Federer shared details about his preferences, including his breakfast choices and the thousands of tennis balls he hits daily. Fans reacted positively to the video, with many praising Federer as a "charming" and "gentlemanly" figure.
Carole and Pippa Middleton made a notable joint appearance at the tournament. Pippa wore a Reformation dress, while Carole opted for a Me+Em dress paired with a blue blazer. Both are known enthusiasts of the sport and are frequent attendees at Wimbledon.
This appearance comes shortly after the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, attended the tournament herself. She was seen watching matches on Court Number One and Court 18, diverging from her usual attendance in the Royal Box. During her visit, she interacted with members of the public, including those who had queued overnight for tickets, and posed for photographs.
The Princess of Wales, a royal patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 2016, has been a regular fixture at Wimbledon since 2011, with exceptions for her pregnancy with Prince George and the tournament's cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a separate match on day eight, British player Arthur Fery advanced to the quarter-finals after defeating Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov in a five-set match.