Wimbledon welcomes David Beckham and Sir Bobby Charlton as stars arrive

02 July 2016 11:53

David Beckham and Sir Bobby Charlton were among the guests as a host of sporting stars took over the Royal Box at Wimbledon.

It has become a tradition that the great and good of British sport are invited to the All England Club on middle Saturday.

Beckham, who arrived with his mother Sandra just after midday, is a keen tennis fan and was at Queen's Club a couple of weeks ago, where his son Romeo hit with Andy Murray.

Four of England's 1966 World Cup-winning team were in the Royal Box.

Joining Charlton, Gordon Banks, Roger Hunt and Sir Geoff Hurst were current and former England cricket stars in Geoff Boycott, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Charlotte Edwards.

Sir Chris Hoy, who was in Murray's box for his title win in 2013, represented cycling, while from the world of rugby came Bill Beaumont and Brian O'Driscoll.

Boxing fan Murray would no doubt have been pleased to see Carl Froch and Nicola Adams invited, while former heptathlete Denise Lewis also attended.

Murray's mother Judy brought her Strictly Come Dancing partner Anton du Beke, with Billie Jean King, John McEnroe, Manuel Santana and Leon Smith other names from the world of tennis, along with wheelchair tennis stars Gordon Reid, Jordanne Whiley and Marc McCarroll.

The Centre Court schedule began with Simona Halep's clash against Kiki Bertens, followed by Murray taking on Australia's John Millman and Milos Raonic's meeting with Jack Sock.

Source: PA