Kate Consoles Anisimova After Heavy Wimbledon Final Defeat

The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, offered comfort to American tennis player Amanda Anisimova following her defeat in the women’s singles final at Wimbledon on July 8, 2023. Anisimova faced a challenging match against Polish player Iga Swiatek, who won the title decisively with a score of 6-0, 6-0 in just 57 minutes.

Kate, the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, was greeted by a standing ovation as she made her way to Centre Court to present the championship trophy to Swiatek. After the match, she consoled a visibly emotional Anisimova, reminding her to keep her “head high.”

In a post-match interview, Anisimova expressed her gratitude for meeting the princess, stating, “It was such an honour to meet her.” She added that Kate’s words were moving and helped her focus on the positives despite the defeat. Anisimova remarked, “I guess it was a positive of today, and I can try and focus on that and not the match.”

Kate also engaged with young ball boys and girls during her time on the court. Notably, she met eight-year-old Lydia Lowe, who performed the coin toss for the women’s wheelchair final. After extending her hand to Lydia, who has been recovering from a brain injury, Kate inquired if she was nervous, to which Lydia advised, “Don’t be nervous. Take deep breaths.” The princess praised Lydia’s bravery and said she was “a pro” at the coin toss.

In addition to Lydia, Kate met Sophie Kneen, 12, who represented the AFC Wimbledon Foundation during the women’s singles final coin toss. Kneen shared her excitement about meeting the princess, noting that Kate asked about her charity’s efforts to encourage young girls to participate in sports.

Kate’s interactions extended to congratulating Wang Ziying, the women’s wheelchair singles champion, and inquiring if her final was a “good game.” Noting the heat on the day, she commented on the weather, remarking, “It’s very hot playing in this weather, isn’t it? It must be nice to celebrate at Wimbledon.”

Dressed in a stylish white belted jacket and pleated skirt, Kate embodied elegance as she took part in the day’s events. She wore a bow-shaped brooch in the Wimbledon colors of purple and green, enhancing her royal presence at the prestigious tournament.

The atmosphere at Wimbledon was further enriched by the presence of various celebrities and dignitaries. Among the notable attendees were Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah, former footballer Ian Wright, and Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins. The royal box also hosted Carole and Michael Middleton, parents of the Princess of Wales, along with the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duchess of Gloucester.

Despite the excitement, the day was marked by extreme temperatures, with the Met Office reporting highs reaching 31.2°C. This fell short of breaking the record for a women’s singles final day, which was recorded during the 1976 final between Chris Evert and Evonne Goolagong Cawley. Meteorologist Greg Dewhurst noted that conditions would feel hot with high UV levels, advising attendees to stay hydrated.

The heat also impacted matches earlier in the week. The men’s singles semi-final on July 7 saw interruptions due to crowd emergencies caused by the high temperatures. Wimbledon officials have implemented heat rules allowing players to take breaks during extreme conditions, ensuring their safety and comfort during matches.

As the tournament progresses, the anticipation builds for the men’s singles final, scheduled for July 9, with predictions of similarly warm weather, though it is unlikely to surpass the record high of 34.1°C set in 1976.