Things are heating up at Wimbledon 2026, with the Men’s Singles semi-finals taking place on the tennis competition’s famed Centre Court.
The tail end of the competition also sees an influx of famous faces flocking to the royal box, the prestigious enclosure that has welcomed some of the biggest names in media, culture and sport over the past fortnight.
On Day 12 (Friday 10 July), celebrities including Anna Wintour, Hugh Laurie, Louis Theroux, and Liverpool footballer Virgil Van Dijk were among the attendees.
First up on the court, the UK’s Arthur Fery continues his unlikely surge through the competition, meeting the formidable German Alexander Zverev, the current world number three. Fery, ranked No 114 in the world as of the start of the tournament, began Wimbledon as a wildcard.
In the second match of the semis, world No 1 Jannik Sinner faces off against Novak Djokovic, competing at the age of 39.
Here are all the biggest names who were spotted watching on during the action....
Hugh Laurie
If Djokovic pulls up with any injury issues, he may be wish that it wasn’t Hugh Laurie in the royal box but his TV alter-ego Dr House. The British actor was free to take in the day’s sport having recently completed filming a new TV comedy series called The Dig.
Louis Theroux
Documentarian extraordinaire Louis Theroux was seen at Wimbledon ahead of the not-so-weird weekend. Best known for his provocative subject matter and deceptively probing interview style, Theroux is often described as a modern-day National Treasure of the British broadcasting scene.
Anna Wintour
The devil may wear Prada, but I’m not sure Wimbledon’s dress code would allow him to compete... iconic fashion magnate and Miranda Priestley inspiration Anna Wintour was also seen in the box today, hobnobbing with Moulin Rouge! director Baz Luhrmann and designer-filmmaker Tom Ford.
Martin Freeman
Just days after celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Office, Martin Freeman took off his Hat-FM headgear and headed down to Centre Court. Here, he’s sat next to a returning pair of tennis enthusiasts: actors Benedict Cumberbatch and his wife, theatre director and playwright Sophie Hunter.
Sandi Toksvig
Who’s that in front of Wintour? It’s Sandi Toksvig, the inimitable Danish-British comedian presenter known for hosting QI. You have to wonder what the former Great British Bake Off host would make of the strawberries and cream going around... To her left, meanwhile, is the actor Damien Lewis.
Virgil Van Dijk
Just days after the Netherlands came crashing out of the World Cup in a penalty shootout with Morocco, Liverpool centre-back Virgil Van Dijk finds himself back on English soil. With preparations for the next Premier League season still yet to start in earnest, it seems the Dutchman has time to enjoy watching someone else do the running around for once.
Christopher Dean
Ice dancing legend Sir Christopher Dean was also among the celebrities sighted on Thursday. With temperatures rising to around 32 during the afternoon, he may well have wished he’d never left the ice.
Pat Cash
There will be few on the sidelines with a deeper understanding of what they’re watching than Pat Cash, the Australian tennis giant who won Wimbledon back in 1987. He was also in the box at Centre Court today, as the semi final matchups got underway.
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