Kate Offers Support to Jabeur Following Her Loss in the Ladies’ Singles Final

The Princess of Wales consoled a tearful Ons Jabeur after the Tunisian tennis star was defeated in the Wimbledon ladies’ singles final on Saturday. Following Czech player Marketa Vondrousova’s 6-4 6-4 victory, Kate, who serves as patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, presented the trophies to both finalists.

As Jabeur struggled to hold back tears, Kate was seen rubbing her arm in a gesture of comfort. The runner-up, trying to maintain composure, joked about her appearance in the photos but soon added, “This is the most painful loss of my career.” The crowd, however, cheered her on as she vowed to come back stronger.

After the presentation, Kate had another brief conversation with Jabeur, offering further words of encouragement. Earlier, the Princess had spent time on the Players’ Lawn, arriving over an hour before the match. Wearing a pale green ensemble by Self-Portrait, she chatted with ball boys and girls and even thanked a maintenance manager who had fixed a leak at the venue, saving the tournament thousands of pounds in potential damage.

Kate, who had attended Wimbledon as a child, also reminisced about the excitement of queuing to enter the championships, sharing her memories with staff from the British Army, London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, and Metropolitan Police. Speaking to Jack Wakelin from the Ambulance Service, she noted the risks of dehydration, encouraging spectators to stay hydrated, especially while enjoying Pimm’s.

In addition to her duties at the final, Kate met Philippa George, a representative of the Riding For The Disabled Association who tossed the coin before the match. The princess complimented George on her Wimbledon-themed nail polish, showing genuine interest in her story.

Despite the wet weather causing disruptions earlier in the week, Kate’s presence brought added warmth and cheer to the event. However, fans faced frustration on Saturday morning when Wimbledon organizers had to close the queue due to a yellow weather warning for wind. Many had traveled long distances, like Kathy Yates and her son, who were disappointed after spending over £300 on their trip from Aberdeen.

The Met Office forecasted blustery conditions throughout the day, adding to the challenges faced by both spectators and competitors at the prestigious tournament.