Middle Saturday, affectionately known as Super Saturday, is a day when the Royal Box transforms into a multi-sport gallery of greats.

On Day 6 of The Championships, All England Club Chair Deborah Jevans’ guests had variously kicked, tackled, putted, pedalled, sailed, rowed, raced, batted, bowled, swum, shot, jumped, thrown or canoed their way to become world-class champions.

Representing stand-out feats achieved on the grass courts of this parish was the one and only Billie Jean King (main picture), Founding President of the WTA and a six-time Ladies’ Singles Champion here, not to mention 10 times a ladies’ doubles champion and four times a mixed doubles champion.

She was joined by Andy Roddick, a Wimbledon finalist in 2004, 2005 and 2009, and Vijay Amritraj, the popular Indian commentator who twice reached the last eight and who was presented with his International Hall of Fame ring last week by ITHF President Patrick McEnroe in a ceremony in central London.

Sailing into London SW19 were four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie and fellow wet bob Peter Burling, the most decorated sailor in America’s Cup history.

Despite Henley Royal Regatta taking place down the road from the All England Club, Centre Court crowds were treated to the presence of Sir Steve Redgrave, famously a gold medallist at five consecutive Olympic Games, and four-time Olympian Helen Glover.

Others schooled in the mantra of “row, eat, sleep, repeat” are Giedrė Rakauskaitė, who won her two Paralympic gold medals in the PR3 mixed coxed four events in Tokyo and Paris, and sculler Lauren Rowles, the first female to become world, European and Paralympic champion in the mixed double event. Laura Sugar of Para canoe fame completed the party of paddlers.

Swapping the sound of leather on willow for ball on strings were Lord Botham, the former all-rounder turned commentator, and former England cricket captain, Sir Andrew Strauss.

The much-capped trio of Danny Care and Jason Leonard of England and Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll presented a formidable rugby set-piece in the Royal Box.

Loud cheers greeted the figureheads of cycling in many forms. First up, track cycling with Sir Jason Kenny, seven times an Olympic track gold medallist, and his wife Dame Laura Kenny, who takes the family collection to 12 with her five golds.

They were joined by BMX racer Bethany Shriever, the first in her discipline to hold the Olympic, world and European titles simultaneously.

Dame Sarah Storey, Great Britain’s most successful Paralympic athlete, started collecting gold medals in swimming (1992 and 1996) before taking to two wheels and collecting a haul of five in cycling in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024. In a parallel slipstream is Jody Cundy, another multi-garlanded former swimmer turned Para-cyclist.

Another charismatic exemplar of sporting versatility is Kadeena Cox, the five-time Paralympic gold medallist whose achievements span athletics and cycling. 

Still aglow from exploits in the 100m backstroke and butterfly in the Paralympic pool in Paris was Stephen Clegg. Alongside him were Poppy Maskill (adding a bit of freestyle to the mix) and breaststroke specialist Maisie Summers-Newton.

Dame Denise Lewis, who fulfilled all elements of the traditional Olympic motto of ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’ in her heptathlon career, was reunited with her track contemporary Dame Kelly Holmes, and joined by Alex Yee. Who can forget his last-gasp overtaking manoeuvre to win triathlon gold in the French capital last summer?

Casting an expert eye on the balls being fired with precision by Sinner, Swiatek and Djokovic was Nathan Hales, GB shooter and gold medallist in the men’s trap event at Paris 2024.

Another expert in the trajectory of missiles was Daniel Pembroke, who has twice claimed a Paralympic gold medal in the javelin throw.

Hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst, the last surviving member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, was hailed as the elder statesman among the galaxy of stars, alongside fellow former football heroes Graeme Souness and Jamie Redknapp.

Representing the women’s game was former Lioness midfielder Fran Kirby of Women’s Super League club Brighton & Hove Albion, who is hailed as one of the best players of her generation.

Also jockeying and scrambling for position in the green-cushioned Lloyd Loom wicker chairs was legendary jump jockey Sir Anthony McCoy and the climber Toby Roberts, Britain’s first Olympic champion in the boulder and lead combined event.

The salute to the sports champions is traditionally followed by a heartfelt tribute to the uniformed stewards provided by the military and the London Fire Brigade. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Clare Balding asked spectators and remote viewers to show appreciation for the Armed Forces.