LONDON — Tennis legend Novak Djokovic shared a lighthearted moment with Queen Camilla during her visit to Wimbledon on Wednesday, revealing later that he was "surprised and delighted" by her unexpected comment about his recent performance.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion greeted the Queen as she arrived at the All England Club for the quarterfinals, where she was escorted by the Duchess of Gloucester. Witnesses described a warm exchange between Djokovic and the royal, with the pair engaging in a private conversation that left the Serbian star visibly amused.
A Royal Surprise
Speaking to reporters after his practice session, Djokovic recounted the interaction: "Her Majesty made a remark about my match against Holger Rune that caught me off guard—she'd clearly been watching closely. It's not every day you get tennis analysis from royalty!"
While Djokovic declined to share the exact comment, sources close to the royal box revealed that Queen Camilla had referenced his remarkable comeback in the fourth round, where he overcame a two-set deficit. The Queen reportedly told him: "You certainly know how to keep us on the edge of our seats."
Wimbledon's Royal Tradition
The encounter continues Wimbledon's long-standing relationship with the British royal family. Key historical moments include:
- King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother) attending the first post-war Championships in 1946
- The late Queen Elizabeth II presenting the trophy to Virginia Wade in 1977 during her Silver Jubilee year
- Prince William and Kate Middleton becoming regular attendees since their marriage
This year marks Queen Camilla's second Wimbledon appearance as monarch, following her visit with King Charles III in 2023. A palace spokesperson noted: "Her Majesty has developed a genuine appreciation for tennis over the years and particularly admires the sportsmanship displayed at Wimbledon."
Djokovic's Royal Connections
The 37-year-old champion has met several members of the royal family throughout his career. In 2019, he played an exhibition match at Windsor Castle for Prince William's charity, recalling: "The Duke showed impressive skills—I told him he could probably take a set off some professionals with proper training!"
Djokovic's interaction with Queen Camilla comes as he prepares for his quarterfinal match against Alex de Minaur. When asked if the royal encounter would inspire him, he smiled: "Any encouragement from such distinguished guests is always welcome. Though I suspect she'll be equally supportive of the British players!"
A Changing of the Guard
The Queen's visit coincided with significant transitions at Wimbledon. Tournament director Sally Bolton confirmed this would be the last Championships for chair umpire Alison Hughes, who is retiring after 33 years. Meanwhile, the All England Club announced plans to:
- Expand the grounds by acquiring adjacent golf club land
- Introduce a new retractable roof on Court 1 by 2027
- Increase prize money by 12% for 2025
As Djokovic returned to his preparations, he reflected on the unique atmosphere of Wimbledon: "There's nowhere else where you might share a laugh with royalty one moment and be battling for survival on Centre Court the next. That's the magic of this place."
The tournament continues through Sunday, with royal attendance expected at the men's final. Whether Queen Camilla will offer more tennis insights remains to be seen, but her engagement has certainly added to this year's Wimbledon lore.
As for Djokovic, he remains focused on securing an eighth Wimbledon title, which would tie him with Roger Federer's record. "The Queen was very kind," he noted, "but now it's back to business."