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via Reuters
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 3, 2024 Former tennis player Maria Sharapova is pictured in the royal box before the start of play REUTERS/Paul Childs
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-07-03T123313Z_1992404359_UP1EK730YVBKW_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-WIMBLEDON.jpg?width=600)
via Reuters
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 3, 2024 Former tennis player Maria Sharapova is pictured in the royal box before the start of play REUTERS/Paul Childs
Remember the ‘iconic’ Wimbledon clash, where a young Russian tennis star dethroned the battle-hardened defending champion back in 2004? Yes, the Serena Williams v/s Maria Sharapova. It has been two decades since then, and Sharapova is back at Wimbledon, though not as a player, but as a veteran legend reliving her most talked about clash during her heydays! However, unlike the 2004, when she was alone, standing on the court with her hands raised after victory, this time she has someone special to share those memories with as she watches younger generation taking over.
In a recent ‘royal’ update, by Spotted@Wimbledon, her fiancé, Alexander Gilkes, accompanied the 2oo4 grass slam champion. The two graced the grass court on the third day, as they hoped to enjoy the clash from the royal box, looking ethereal as ever! Moreover, it’s a star-studded day as Emma Raducanu looks forward to extending her Wimbledon campaign. Maybe they all heard Raducanu’s confession of missing the Duchess of Cambridge. The Duchess of Gloucester has come to cheer the Briton, along with Theresa May accompanied by her husband.
When it comes to Sharapova, it is second time in the last few days Sharapova has stepped into the Wimbledon arena to share her legacy. Earlier Sharapova took the court to share her monumental feat in 2004 with her toddler. And today, to enjoy some tennis from the other side of the prism: a spectator!
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Wimbledon 2004 champion Maria Sharapova and Alexander Gilkes enter the Royal Box on day three of #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/2OlUI20Qpg
— Spotted @ Wimbledon (@CelebsWimbledon) July 3, 2024
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The 2004 is memorable for many reasons, other than the defeat of the defending champion, Williams at the Wimbledon. This was the only year in her whole career that Sharapova could dominate the 23-time Grand Slam champion. As in their next 20 encounters, Williams always remained at the top, with a winning percentage of 90.9% in 2 decades. And Wimbledon Slam was the only major that Sharapova could wrestle from the American legend.
While tennis fans await the arrival of another champion who ruled Wimbledon in 8 editions. The One and only Roger Federer! Sharapova might be busy cheering for this player to take the Women’s crown.
Is Maria Sharapova cheering for Coco Gauff to claim the crown?
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Maria Sharapova's Wimbledon return—Does she still have the magic that made her a legend?
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Both Sharapova and Federer confirmed their presence at the Royal Box of Wimbledon. While Sharapova has fulfilled her side, tennis fans are awaiting Federer to grace the grass courts of London. However, as Federer takes his time, Sharapova is busy cheering for the young American tennis star, Coco Gauff, to win her 2nd slam!
While confirming her thought of attending the Grass court slam, way back in June, Sharapova revealed the moment she wanted to witness at Wimbledon, as she watched Coco Gauff win the US Open. She said, “I watched Coco win, which was spectacular. I saw her first game and then I went back home and then was like, ‘OK I’ve got to go to the Open because she’s now gone all the way to the final.’ I think it was a long time coming, so it felt like, yeah, I really wanted to witness that moment for her.” Would Sharapova be able to witness the young star evolving her way to being a legend?
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Maria Sharapova's Wimbledon return—Does she still have the magic that made her a legend?