He may have won 20 Grand Slam titles – but Roger Federer proved no match for the Princess of Wales when they met on a Wimbledon tennis court.
Kate managed to get a shot past the Swiss star, prompting him to exclaim: ‘I think it was on the line. Amazing!’
However, the Princess also took the opportunity to try to get some sneaky coaching advice from the former world No1.
‘Any tips on my serve at the same time would be very helpful,’ she said. But Federer replied only with a compliment, saying: ‘The serve looks good.’
The pair were playing a doubles match on No3 Court – where Federer won his first match on the way to taking his first Wimbledon title 20 years ago – to highlight the work of ball boys and girls at the tournament.
He may have won 20 Grand Slam titles – but Roger Federer (right) proved no match for the Princess of Wales (left) when they met on a Wimbledon tennis court
The Princess also took the opportunity to try to get some sneaky coaching advice from the former world No1
In a video of their encounter released on YouTube last night, keen tennis player Kate said: ‘Wimbledon is renowned for its amazingly professional ball boys and ball girls.
‘The amount of work it takes, it’s incredible to see it behind the scenes.’ She then said: ‘It’s so good to see you, Roger,’ before walking on to the court for their match.
After getting her shot past the 41-year-old, who retired from the sport last year, Kate gives a celebratory pat on the shoulder to her doubles partner Joel Eboewe, a coach with the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative, which gives free lessons to local children.
During their visit earlier this month, the VIPs also joined the ball boys and girls in training for this year’s tournament, which begins a week tomorrow.
But although he started his career as a 12-year-old ball boy in Basel in 1993, Federer took a while to get back into the swing of things.
As tennis balls bounced at his feet, the star, who has an estimated fortune of £430million, is seen asking: ‘Is that supposed to be me picking them up?’
In a video of their encounter released on YouTube last night, keen tennis player Kate said: ‘Wimbledon is renowned for its amazingly professional ball boys and ball girls’
During their visit earlier this month, the VIPs also joined the ball boys and girls in training for this year’s tournament, which begins a week tomorrow
Pictured: Princess of Wales and Roger Federer during a visit to the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon for a behind-the-scenes look at work of the ball boys and girls who are a key part of the tennis tournament
Kate, too, struggled with the rules. The Royal ball girl was told that she was not allowed to catch a ball until it had bounced off the back wall.
Each year, around 1,000 children aged 11 to 13 from schools near Wimbledon take part in training sessions, with a quarter of them selected to take part in the tournament.
Kate told those being put through their paces this year: ‘With all the discipline and everything you’ve learned, you’ll be able to take it into so many other parts of your life; things like confidence and that feeling of pride with being on any of the courts is such a big moment.’
Kate and Federer were due to take part in a charity tennis day last year, but the Princess pulled out following the Queen’s funeral.
Federer has become a friend of the Royals and the Middletons, even attending the wedding of Kate’s sister Pippa to James Matthews in 2017.
He has also visited the Waleses at their home at Anmer Hall in Norfolk – and has given Prince George a private tennis lesson.
Sarah Goldson, who manages Wimbledon’s ball boys and girls, said: ‘We’re proud of the young people who dedicate so much time and effort to their role which plays an integral part in delivering successful championships.’
As patron of the All England Club, Kate, 41, will present the trophies to the winners of this year’s Wimbledon
