The Royal Box is reserved for members of the Royal Family – represented on Day 8 by Their Royal Highnesses The Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Michael of Kent, and His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco (pictured), fresh from handing out the prizes on finals day at Henley Royal Regatta. 

From an oarsome sporting spectacle to the awesome sight of second-week dreamers fighting on Centre Court for a place in the quarter-finals...

The Prince could be forgiven for wondering if he had, in fact, turned up at a golf event, such were the number of Ryder Cup stars assembled in the Royal Box.

Luke Donald, winning European 2023 Ryder Cup captain, lined up on the greens… as in the comfy green cushions of the Lloyd Loom wicker chairs... alongside teammates Matthew Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry and Robert MacIntyre. 

Another guest with links – ho, ho! – to a sport affectionately deemed ‘a good walk spoiled’ was Niall Farquharson, Chairman of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrew’s, where equally immaculate grass is on display.

Also present was Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA European Tour and Ryder Cup Europe, and more local representatives of the world of diamond-patterned jumpers: the men’s and ladies’ captain of Royal Wimbledon Golf Club, Mark Pumfrey and Cathy Stoddart. 

In their midst, the eagle-eyed will have spotted journalist Matthew Syed, another practitioner of a sport involving little white balls, his speciality being ping pong.

One wonders how many players on the court below realised that the three-time men’s singles champion at the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships (1997, 2000 and 2001) and British Olympian (1992 and 2000) holds the secrets of sporting success?

His book Bounce: The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice found that so-called child prodigies are not necessarily in possession of an unworldly talent. They have simply put a lot of hours into the pursuit of success (Agassi famously hit a million balls a year, Serena Williams had a racket in her hand at the age of three).

Bouncers, nets and grass are three elements familiar to David Gower’s sporting prowess. The former England cricket captain and Mark Nicholas, President of the MCC, both Hampshire CCC stalwarts in their prime, topped the rankings in terms of viewers who know a thing or two about dealing with balls fired at them with spin. 

Alexander Zverev, second on Centre today, provided comic relief on his previous appearance when he addressed Royal Box guest Pep Guardiola, inviting the Manchester City manager to take up coaching Bayern Munich or indeed himself at tennis. 

As well as Taylor Fritz in the best of five sets, the German was potentially up against stand-up comedian Lenny Henry in earning applause from a turn at the mic.

Actor, playwright and director, Sir Mark Rylance’s services to theatre are legendary. On Day 8, the first artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and Knight of the Order of the British Empire returned to the Royal Box for an encore.

Two years ago, he was greeted theatrically by fellow guest Sir Ian McKellen with a kiss on the hand.

Sir Ian was not present at the great tennis theatre in SW19 on Magic Monday but, given his recent tumble off a London stage, it was reassuring to have a doctor in the house: Dr Hilary Jones GP, medical advisor on breakfast television.

No doubt the odd medicinal tipple was enjoyed over lunch presided over by All England Chair Deborah Jevans in the company of tennis dignitaries from the USTA, Tennis Australia and the International Tennis Integrity Agency.

And much magical reminiscence in the company of former Club Chairman Ian Hewitt and former Chief Executives Ian Ritchie and Chris Gorringe. The latter, who started as Assistant Secretary in 1974, was celebrating the 50th anniversary of his association with the AELTC.