I spent day 1 of Wimbledon in the celeb VIP box with Jessica Alba, Chris O'Dowd & Sam Thompson – here's what you missed
WIMBLEDON line judges may have been replaced by AI for the first time in the tournament's 148-year history, but there's one thing that will never change.
No matter whether its the hottest opening day on record, like yesterday, or even rainier than the wettest in 1906, the world's most famous faces won't be put off arriving in style to watch some top tier tennis.
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Actress Jessica Alba looked stunning in blue at Wimbledon's opening day
Credit: Getty
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Dawn O'Porter and Chris O'Dowd posed inside the Mountain of Youth VIP suite
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Marvin Humes with his I'm A Celebrity campmate Sam Thompson
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S Club singer Rachel Stevens was among the famous guests
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Sam Thompson plays ping pon in the suite in front of the complimentary bar
Despite expense being no object for some of Wimbledon's most prestigious guests, there are some hidden areas close to Centre Court that money-can't-buy.
On day one of the competition, I found myself with a golden ticket into the extremely sought-after hydrangea building where stars enjoy a delicious lunch to set them up for an exciting day of tennis.
It was there in evian's Mountain of Youth VIP suite where famous faces including Jessica Alba, Chris O'Dowd, Frankie Bridge, Rachel Stevens, Rochelle and Marvin Humes, Sam Thompson and Jamie Campbell Bower were hosted by the official water of The Championships on day one.
The spectacular invitation from the Wimbledon sponsor also guaranteed Centre Court tickets to see the likes of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz play.
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The VIP access ensures you dodge any queues and offers limitless champagne and Pimm's inside the suite, as well as afternoon tea and plenty of strawberries and cream.
With temperatures topping 32.3C, stars cooled down in the ai-conditioned suite as they made the most of the private balcony over-looking the outskirts of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
In between matches, celebs could take advantage of the pink-themed VIP area's ping pong table.
There were also screens to watch the tennis from indoors so you didn't miss a moment of action.
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But of course, being out on court is the place to be - with stars themselves even becoming star-struck when they see the who's who in the Royal Box.
A stone's throw from our fantastic seats were sport legends David Beckham and Gareth Southgate.
Carlos Alcaraz claims he 'will do whatever she wants me to do' in revealing Emma Raducanu interview after Wimbledon win
Fans were quick to spot Hollywood actress Jessica in the grounds as she enjoyed a day out at Wimbledon with her lookalike daughter Honor, 17.
Donning a £65 Polo Ralph Lauren cap purchased by the on-site tennis shop, 43-year-old Jessica watched Alcaraz's five-set win over Fabio Fognini on centre court.
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"Had a blast at Wimbledon with my sweet girl," she posted from inside the evian suite.
The space, inspired by evian's Live Young philosophy, aims to inspire attendees to reduce plastic packaging waste at The Championships.
There's a new refill and reuse initiative across the grounds, encouraging more than 500,000 guests to use evian's new recyclable bottle - designed specifically for Wimbledon 2025.
Day two guests Daniel Ricciardo, Molly-Mae Hague, Clara Amfo, Mat Horne and Rafferty Law were spotted staying cool and hydrated in the summer heat by making the most of the official water of the championships, which is in its 17th year at Wimbledon.
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Jessica with her 17-year-old daughter Honor
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Marvin shared a kiss with his wife Rochelle on Centre Court
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evian ambassadors Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu
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Molly-Mae Hague was hosted by evian on day two of the tournament
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