Stars from the world of sport, pop culture and even some members of the Royal Family have this week flocked to Wimbledon to get a glimpse at some of the world’s greatest tennis stars in action.
Multiple Aussies flocked to the All England Club last week, with last Wednesday being unofficially dubbed ‘Aussie Day’ by some, as a plethora of Aussie sport and film stars all took their seats in the Royal Box on Centre Court.
Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett and Rebel Wilson all served up sophistication, as they mixed with other stars in Wimbledon’s top seats.
Today, former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard was also pictured in the Royal Box, sitting next to All England Tennis Club Chair, Deborah Jevans.
Gillard, who led the country from 2010 to 2013, donned a beautiful turquoise dress, printed with a stunning floral pattern as she sat one row ahead of Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon and former QI host, Sir Stephen Fry.
Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard (bottom left) was pictured in the Royal Box at Wimbledon on Thursday afternoon in front of Sir Steven Fry
She sat next to AELTC Chair Debbie Jevans (bottom, second from right) and ahead of British actors Rob Brydon and Harry Potter star Fiona Shaw
Brydon looked animated by the tennis as the group watched Arya Sabalenka take on Amanda Anisimova
Ironically, Gillard was in fact born in Barry, Wales, the filming location for the iconic British sitcom Gavin and Stacey.
She moved to live in Adelaide with her family in 1966.
Last month, she opened up to the BBC about how her Welsh upbringing helped her develop her view of politics.
‘We always had this sense that our lives were formed in Australia, but we knew we had this heritage,’ Gillard told the outlet, speaking on her Welsh heritage.
The group took their places in the Royal Box on Thursday as World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka was sensationally knocked out of the ladies’ singles by world No 12 Amanda Anisimova on Centre Court.
Belinda Bencic and Iga Swiatek are due to follow them later on Thursday in the second ladie’s singles semi-final clash.
Brydon was also sat next to Harry Potter actress Fiona Shaw, who played Mrs Dursley in the iconic wizarding film series. The pair were seen laughing together as they nattered away during the match, while Fry, who also appeared in the Harry Potter franchise, also joined in on the conversation.
Shaw (left) and Brydon (right) laughed and chatted together between points
Fry (right) also joined the conversations as they watched Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova
It was a fearless performance by Anisimova, who upset the odds to seal a 6-4 4-6 6-4 victory against the Belarusian.
And there was plenty of drama on Centre Court on Thursday afternoon with the semi-final being suspended twice.
One spectator, who was sitting directly in the sun, collapsed during the blistering 31-degree heat.
Sabalenka showed her class, rushing over to deliver the patron a bottle of water, as other fans surrounded the fan with purple and green Wimbledon-branded umbrellas to shield them from the sun.
A further mediccal incident took place with Sabalenka again running over to hand the patron a bottle of water, before they exited the stadium.
More to follow…
