It was a welcome distraction to have sport on the agenda during the global pandemic.

However, without crowds the historic moments seemed slightly hollow, the pre-recorded electronic fan noise was divisive. Some switched it on, some muted it.

Fortunately, Wimbledon 2021 was cheered through a smooth first week by a 50 per cent capacity on the Grounds.

On Tuesday, the All England Club welcomed a 100 per cent allowance on Centre Court and No.1 Court, making Wimbledon the first sporting event in Great Britain to be played in front of a full house this year.

On Centre Court, just under 15,000 people arrived with eager anticipation, champagne corks popping to mark the occasion, smiles from cheek to cheek. The fans could sense this was special.

Jostling between the crowds to find their specified seat, people were joking and chitter-chattering. As the roof was closed, the murmurs and laughter crackled around the arena. Adding to the buzz was the hail-like sound of a deluge of rain pouring down from the south London sky.

With multitude of selfies being taken and phones held aloft at every angle looking to capture a unique perspective on the most cherished court in tennis, it was just like old times.

Concluding their rain-delayed match, Daniil Medvedev and Hubert Hurkacz  were roared on to court as if it were the final. The public were happy to ramp up the applause at any given opportunity.

Wimbledon spectators are a knowledgeable bunch, though, and produced the classic contrast of heads swinging left to right to take in the action in respectful silence for the players, only to erupt following any winner, error or challenge.

Hurkacz clinched the comeback against Medvedev, the crowd lapping up his progressive play. The Pole’s opening answer during his on-court interview was interrupted twice by the adulation of raucous clapping from the bleachers.

It was a charming interview from Hurkacz, but the volumes pinged up a few notches when his next opponent, Roger Federer, was mentioned. “I’ll be hoping to get a little bit of the support,” the Pole said with a chuckle.

Hurkacz earned a legion of new fans and a standing ovation from the Royal Box, which was hosting some key and inspirational figures who have helped us fight the pandemic, alongside national icons such as Dame Mary Berry.

Waiting for the first ladies' quarter-finals to begin, one group had noticed a few celebrities in the stands behind the media benches. Soon a few whispers filtered down the rows and even the security guards became involved in identifying the famous faces.

The not-so-subtle glances picked out singers Olly Murs, Lewis Capaldi and Jessie J, who were seated near TV presenters Laura Whitmore and Ant McPartlin. Stomzy and comedian Jack Whitehall joined the party. Actor Benedict Cumberbatch wins the prize for being best dressed, some swish sunglasses working well with a blue-trimmed sun hat. Stars in the crowd and stars on the court.

‘Tunisia is proud of you Ons’ read one sign as the anticipation built for Ons Jabeur against Aryna Sabalenka.

The tennis was world class – the drop short wizardry of the Arab trailblazer, looking to absorb the rocket-fuel firepower of the Belarusian No.2 seed.

With packed crowds, you gain more of a sense of which player is the underdog, which the favourite.

Every piece of impressive play was greeted with a collective “ooooo” in appreciation, a narrow miss prompting echoing “aaaahhhhs.” The obvious joy of returning to witness elite sport helped produce an orchestra of noise that we’ve missed during the pandemic.

Sabalenka prevailed and summed it up aptly, leaning in towards the microphone to say, “You guys make this place so special”.

Wimbledon has the history and heritage, and with 15,000 back in the stands, it is complete once again.

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