Kate’s dash to boost Norrie
She quits Royal Box for ‘cheap seats’
THE Duchess of Cambridge proved Cameron Norrie’s lucky charm at Wimbledon yesterday as he battled into the semi-finals.
The British No1 was two sets to one down and struggling before Kate dashed from the Royal Box on Centre Court to join the action on Court One.
Cameron’s game soon lifted and the 12,000 crowd finally found their voice and roared him on to a famous victory.
The Duke joined his wife shortly after and the 40-year-old royals led the cheers in Cameron’s victory over five epic sets against Belgian David Goffin.
Kate, who sat next to former British tennis star Tim Henman, had beamed and clapped while William shouted “Come on! Come on!” Both leapt to their feet applauding as Cameron sealed the win after three hours, 28 minutes. His parents Helen and David cheered while girlfriend Louise Jacobi, 23, wiped away tears of joy.
He is the fourth British man in the Open era to reach the semi-finals.
Emotional Cameron said on court: “I’m so happy to get through with such a great team, family and friends here.
“It wasn’t going my way. I couldn’t find my game and then thanks to you guys... Winning a match like this [you get] flashbacks of all the hard work and sacrifices. It feels pretty good.”
South Africa-born “Nozza”, 26, now faces defending champ and six-time winner Novak Djokovic on Friday.
Afterwards, William and Kate posted a picture of Cameron pumping his fist on the court, with the caption: “What a match! Just brilliant.” They later added: “What a day of tennis! Fantastic to be back at Wimbledon today and wonderful to see [Cameron] flying the flag in the singles!”
The couple began their day on Centre Court to watch Djokovic, 35, come back to beat Italian Jannik Sinner, 20. With them in the Royal Box were comic David Walliams, TV host David Dimbleby and Kate’s parents Michael and Carole Middleton.
Other celebs at Centre Court included England ace Mason Mount and ex-Strictly dancer Oti Mabuse.
JOE ROOT revealed how Elvis Presley helped inspire England’s ‘rock-star’ cricketers to a record-breaking win over India.
Captain Ben Stokes watched the latest film about Elvis ahead of overseeing England’s highest-ever run chase of 378-3 and was wowed by the wonder of two as Root and fellow Yorkshireman Jonny Bairstow (left), sealed a thrilling win.
Root said: “Ben’s mentioned trying
FROM BACK PAGE to be rock stars on the field. So it’s about trying to have fun and really relish every opportunity and put on a show for everyone.”
The two batters took the Indian bowlers apart at Edgbaston with brilliant tons. And ex-skipper Root (above) had some fun with Stokes when he reached his 100 with a pinkie celebration from the Elvis playbook.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to feel or look like a rock star but for 10 seconds I might have done, that’s what the little pinkie was about,” he added.
“Ben watched the Elvis Presley film and he’s been doing that all week, so it was a little tribute to him.
“The Yorkshireman inside me is still saying dig in, play straight and get behind it. Then there’s the captain on the other shoulder saying ‘be a rock star.’ So you’re fighting between the two of them, sometimes.”
The way Root and Bairstow finished off the job to level the series, which was carried over from last year, suggests they are listening to what Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum want from the team.
“I’m extremely proud,” Stokes said. “The last five weeks have been an incredible turnaround. The team’s response has made it the most fun five weeks I’ve had in my career so far.
“If this isn’t fun and you’re not enjoying every moment then you’re doing something wrong. Let’s get people to fall in love with Test cricket again.
“This is definitely like what Eoin
Morgan tried to do with the one-day team. Baz and Eoin are really good mates and I’ve brought that into this set-up.”