Sir Cliff Richard has proved his dedication to tennis after watching Novak Djokovic's dramatic quarter-final victory at Wimbledon on Tuesday evening. The 85-year-old music legend made a spectacular arrival at Wimbledon on Wednesday - just 12 hours after cheering on Novak Djokovic deep into the night.
Cliff Richard's Wimbledon Marathon
Richard has been present at the Championships every day this week, except Monday. He stayed until just minutes before the curfew on Tuesday night to witness Djokovic defeat Felix Auger-Aliassime in the longest Wimbledon semi-final ever recorded. He sat alone for more than three hours and was regularly captured on BBC coverage, punching the air in delight as he became utterly absorbed in the epic battle.
Afterwards, he took to social media to post: "Day 10 - I couldn't pull myself away from the exhilarating Djokovic/Auger Aliassime match last night, so my taxi's meter was running for four hours whilst waiting for me!"
Early Morning Energy
Richard could hardly have been blamed for turning up late and bleary-eyed on Wednesday morning. Instead, he arrived bright and early, bringing tremendous energy outside the All England Club as he emerged to his iconic 1979 track 'We Don't Talk Anymore'. Richard, sporting a blazer in multiple shades of green, paired with a sky-blue shirt and navy trousers, threw his arms wide and danced while singing along to his own classic hit.
Britain's third best-selling artist of all time, behind only the Beatles and Elvis Presley, was besieged by fans eager to snap his arrival. His appearances have generated far greater excitement than those of the likes of Rory McIlroy, Sir Gareth Southgate and the various celebs who have been invited into the Royal Box.
Tennis Passion and Legacy
Richard, a passionate tennis fan, established the Cliff Richard Tennis Foundation back in 1991. He also holds official membership at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC). Perhaps his most iconic moment at SW19 came when he grabbed the microphone to belt out renditions of 'Summer Holiday' and 'Living Doll' from the Royal Box in 1996 after rain brought play to a halt.
Richard once had a romantic relationship with Wimbledon legend Sue Barker, but the pair later went their separate ways. "I'm a member at Wimbledon, after I'd been a member for a couple of years somebody said to me the easiest way to get in here is to win the tournament," he revealed last year. "Fortunately I got in for other reasons, because I started a charity that took tennis to young people in schools in Britain."
