Fans rally behind Emma Raducanu in searing heat ahead of Wimbledon showdown
Amid the surge of interest in Raducanu's Centre Court showdown, stewards had begun turning fans away from the queue, warning that ground pass capacity was close to being reached.
Among the supporters were Amy Stainthorpe, 25, and Hannah Wicks, 24, both working in fashion buying, who said: 'You've got to support the girls.
'That's why we're here – the men take all of the spotlight, but it's great to see a lady running things.'
Beth Swinburne, 30, Liv Shackleton, 31, and Rose Butler, 29, all from London, said: 'She's so fab – girls in sport. Girl power.'
Miss Shackleton said: 'I think she's been really open about mental health struggles as well.'
Miss Butler said: 'I can't wait to have Pimm's on the hill and watch her.'
Jonathan Mack, 36, an investment manager from London, said: 'She's British, she's very pretty, she's very good at tennis. We'll be cheering her on.'
'Obviously there are rumours she's with Alcaraz – she's got a smile on her face, a bit of spring in her step.
'Maybe a bit of love is helping her. Perhaps he might be there watching her.'
Gary Lineker with Anthony Joshua in the Royal Box at Wimbledon (Adam Davy/PA)
Inside Centre Court, the Royal Box began to fill with famous faces including Gary Lineker, Anthony Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn – who arrived in near-matching cream jackets – alongside Dame Mary Berry, Professor Brian Cox and astronaut Tim Peake.
The stands were packed with spectators shielding themselves from the heat as anticipation built for what promises to be one of the standout matches of the tournament.
Raducanu's clash with Sabalenka on Centre Court follows matches between Taylor Fritz and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and Carlos Alcaraz and Jan-Lennard Struff.
Raducanu has been embracing the Wimbledon experience this week, training alongside world number one Jannik Sinner and spending time with childhood friends and long-time mentor Jane O'Donoghue.
The 22-year-old described watching Sinner as a chance to 'learn by osmosis', while calling it 'really special' to have her closest friends and support team with her during the tournament.
Facing top seed Sabalenka represents one of the toughest challenges in women's tennis, but Raducanu said she plans to be aggressive and 'creative', adding: 'You can't really do nothing or give nothing balls to her.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
Rassie Erasmus makes shock Wales spying accusation as he tells Warren Gatland 'stop now'
Rassie Erasmus makes shock Wales spying accusation as he tells Warren Gatland 'stop now' The former Wales coach has once again spoken about accusations of spying by the Springboks during the 2021 Lions tour Former Wales head coach Warren Gatland and South Africa's Rassie Erasmus (Image: Getty Images) ) Rassie Erasmus has strongly denied allegations made by Warren Gatland that the Springboks spied on the British and Irish Lions during their 2021 tour of South Africa, labelling the claims as baseless and calling for an end to what he described as 'misinformation". Speaking after South Africa's 42-24 win over Italy at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, Erasmus, who also went on to accuse Wales themselves of spying in 2021, expressed his frustration over Gatland's accusations, which were detailed in the former Lions boss's latest column for The Telegraph. Gatland alleged that the Springbok camp rented a property overlooking the Lions' training facility and used a long-lens camera to film their preparations. He said suspicions within the Lions setup were confirmed when Lukhanyo Am produced a perfectly-timed hit on Elliot Daly during the opening Test. The former Wales coach also claimed Erasmus was seen on the pitch during a match, disguised as a water carrier, holding a sheet that appeared to include the Lions' attacking plays. 'One of the photographers captured a shot of him holding the paper next to Faf de Klerk,' Gatland wrote. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. Article continues below 'We enlarged the image after the game and it looked like some of our moves and calls were on that sheet.' Gatland said the Lions were so concerned they relocated training sessions indoors to avoid being watched. 'We just didn't know how they could have so much information on us,' he added. Erasmus initially responded with sarcastic posts on social media, but after the win over Italy, he addressed the issue directly and called on Gatland to put an end to the claims. 'It must stop now,' Erasmus said. 'If we're going to go through every bizarre and unlikely story, there'll be a lot more of these kinds of tales. 'I don't want people thinking this kind of thing actually happens in rugby. "There are always strange rumours around training sessions and coaches trying to outsmart each other, but this is different. To make such a serious claim in a newspaper based purely on hearsay is irresponsible. "It just creates unnecessary tension. I'd like us to move on and stop discussing it all together.' Erasmus actually went on to accuse Wales of spying in the autumn of 2021, however Gatland was not head coach at that time. Article continues below The Springboks were forced to evacuate their Cardiff hotel twice overnight before playing Wales and Erasmus has now claimed information had been taken when they returned. Responding to a WalesOnline social media post, Erasmus said: 'I hear from a source from within the Wales [sic] camp that whilst we were evacuated all our notes and plans were photographed and the white board sheets taken. 'We were again forced at around 06h00 for [sic] another evacuation!!'
Wales Online
2 hours ago
- Wales Online
I went to the F1 paddock at the British Grand Prix and it was like stepping into another world
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info I was just a child when I first remember coming downstairs in the family home on a Sunday afternoon to find the TV on and my dad engrossed watching grainy images of the oddest looking cars driving round and round a track with Murray Walker enthusing excitedly from the commentary box. It caught my attention but I was a kid so a couple of hours sat watching something I didn't really understand seemed an age back then. I'd normally ask how John Watson was doing - the only driver I really knew back then - then disappear when my dad would tell me he was 'I don't know, around 10th I think' in that voice that said, 'go away, I'm trying to concentrate on this'. (Image: Paul Turner) As the years went by, I'd linger for longer, seeing history play out - the rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, the frustrations of Nigel Mansell. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here I clearly recall the moment Mansell's tyre blew in Australia in 1986 and he had to wrestle the car to a stop, his World Championship dreams for Williams in tatters. (Image: Paul Turner) I cheered and looked on in awe as thousands of fans invaded the track in 1992 to celebrate Mansell winning that's year's British Grand Prix. And, like Murrary, I had a tear in my eye when Damon Hill won his World Championship for Williams in 1996. Then came the Michael Schumacher years, the devastating death of Ayrton Senna, and the emergence of a new British GP hero in the shape of Lewis Hamilton. (Image: Paul Turner) By now I was a journalist and when the chance came to attend the British Grand Prix as a member of the media, I jumped at the opportunity. Bar a few years around Covid I have been every year since. And being there, at the heart of the action has never lost its shine. That heart of the action, aside from what happens on the track and the pit lane, can be found in the F1 paddock. (Image: Paul Turner) If you're an F1 fan, the paddock is basically paradise. But even if you aren't, it's still a place of awe, especially on a Sunday - race day. The paddock is where all the teams have their motorhomes. I say motorhomes - these are more like palaces of glass and chrome - large structures with sliding doors, several floors, bars, restaurants and meeting rooms within. Opposite those are drivers' personal spaces, tyre stores and other paraphernalia, all still glossy and polished. If you were expecting oily rags and sweat, you won't find any of that. F1 is clinical and squeaky clean. (Image: Paul Turner) And behind those are the garages, hiding the cars themselves and the engineers, and other team personnel - the beating heart of every team's race ambitions. Between all that and the motorhomes, however, is the beating heart of the F1 paddock. For much of the day it's a sea of people - media, team personnel, team sponsors, celebrities and other invited guests, including John Wick actor Keanu Reeves on the day of qualifying, July 5. (Image: Paul Turner) And at the peak points of the day, it's absolutely rammed with bodies, many hoping for a glimpse of one of the drivers, who can normally be spotted flitting from place to place. You'll also find team bosses and race engineers flitting from motorhome to garage, and familiar faces from Channel 4 and Sky's coverage of the Grand Prix doing their pieces to camera. (Image: Paul Turner) Much of the action surrounds the big team's motorhomes - McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes, etc - with people hovering in the hope of a glimpse of one of the drivers, clutching cameras and things to be autographed, given the chance.. But you're just as likely to see a familiar face from sport, music, and film. The F1 paddock on British Grand Prix day is a mecca for the rich and famous. - some of them with an actual interest in F1, others just there for the event or the publicity it might bring. (Image: Paul Turner) And the money - it's all on show. At certain times the pit lane is opened up to Paddock Club guests - the VIPs, sponsors etc who enjoy the poshest hospitality areas overlooking the track where they are wined and dined through the weekend. I often sit with a coffee at the window in the media centre looking down on the pit lane as they have one of their parades through, people watching. You can see the money dripping off some of these people who are being given the ultimate treat of a close-up look inside the team garages, something most F1 fans can only dream of. (Image: Paul Turner) Silverstone is all about the racing, the drivers and the fans, ultimately. Tens of thousands brave the traffic jams and pour through the entrance gates come for one reason, to enjoy the action and cheer on their heroes. The atmosphere in the stands and the 'village' is outstanding throughout the weekend. But there's another side to Silverstone - where the money flows, deals are done, and privileged people are keen to see and be seen. It's a hugely expensive sport and the money has to come from somewhere. In the paddock is where the people who provide some of that cash - in terms of sponsors and spenders - are entertained, milked you might say. But F1 has always been a glamorous sport, full of beautiful people. And the British Grand Prix, like the Wimbledon Finals, the FA Cup, and Royal Ascot, among others, is one of Britain's premier sporting events. (Image: Paul Turner) It will always be a magnet for the great and the good and the F1 paddock is where they all collect. But, for a plain old F1 fanatic like me, it's a chance to immerse myself in my favourite sport, brush shoulders with the drivers, even ask them a question or two like I have done in the past to the likes of Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Kimi Räikkönen and more. It's my favourite time of the year. When I was a kid disturbing my dad's viewing in the 80s, when Prost and Senna were battling it out on track, I never imagined I would one day get to put questions to the more modern day stars of F1, like Schumacher and Hamilton. I feel incredibly privileged.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Shoppers 'look younger' in Vernon Kay's 'summery' M&S denim jacket
The presenter and I'm A Celebrity alum was spotted in a video posted on M&S' Instagram page in which he sported as series of their new summer jackets - and one was a hit With summer finally here, many of us are enjoying days where we don't need to worry about wearing a jacket out during the daytime. But come nightfall, it's inevitable - with the typical British weather - that we'll need a lightweight jacket to keep our arms and shoulders cosy. Vernon Kay has teamed up with Marks & Spencer to showcase a few of its sunshine worthy jackets that'll keep the chill at bay without causing the wearer to overheat - and one jacket in particular has shopping loving it's 'good quality' that rivals some of the more expensive denim competitors. The M&S Collection Denim Jacket costs £50 and comes in both a mid blue shade as well as an ecru. Available in sizes M to 3XL in blue and S to 3XL in ecru, the jacket offers a 'new take on a timeless design classic'. Made with a relatively roomy fit, the garment is made from 'soft yet durable' material that ensures added comfort - especially with its smooth lining. Different to your typical denim jacket look - such as the Levi's Trucker, £120, or Wrangler's Classic Denim Jacket, £100 both of which have more of a loose, rounded fit with stitching and silverware decorating the pockets and buttons - M&S' chore style coat has more of a boxy design with two patch pockets on the chest and two larger pockets underneath near the hem. While Vernon Kay sported a series of different jacket's in the video shared on M&S ' Instagram page (including the Faux Suede Harrington Jacket, £70), shoppers were keen to know where to get the first denim jacket from the website, with many people commenting on the post: "Looking smart Vernon", and "Looking summery and sharp". With a 4.8 star rating on the Marks and Spencer website, the brand's Instagram followers aren't the only ones loving Vernon's look as the jacket has an impressive 4.8 star rating, with one shopper citing: "I chose this jacket because the design took denim jackets to a new level of flair. I was not disappointed and love the look and the feel of it - well made and decent material." Although they did reflect: "A possible quibble is that straight pockets do not make putting my hands in them comfortable. Slanting pockets would be easier but would this significantly alter the design?" "Looks fab great fabric fits like a glove great all rounder jacket," said another happy shopper, while a third added: "This jacket is outstanding. It's well-constructed, stylish, and offers excellent value for money. The sizing is spot on—I'm 5'8" and weigh 68kg, and the small size fits perfectly. It's versatile, too: great for wearing over a T-shirt during an English summer, and can easily be layered over a jumper or hoodie when the weather gets cooler." Someone else said it was a "very good product, half the price of some of its competitors." While most comments had no qualms with the jacket, a small number of people offered up some improvement suggestions. One said: "Good quality in general although collar slightly misaligned which is why it gets 4stars." Another four star shopper said: "Only one inner pocket that is oddly on the right side of the jacket. That's unusable to me especially as it is high up," although they did state how they've been told wearing the jacket makes him 'look younger in it'. The exact jacket worn by Vernon Kay is available at M&S for £50.
