Rumours that Meghan Markle will attend Wimbledon later this month to support Serena Williams have reignited criticism over her previous appearance at the tournament. The Duchess of Sussex is said to be returning to the UK for the first time since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022, but many fans are hoping she stays away from Centre Court.
Serena Williams' Loss Fuels Superstition
On Tuesday, June 30, Serena Williams lost her first match since returning to tennis after more than four years away. The 44-year-old tennis ace was defeated by Australian player Maya Joint with a score of 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 in a live televised event. The loss came just hours after reports emerged that Meghan might attend the match to support her friend.
Superstition is common among sports fans, and many have linked Williams' defeat to Meghan's rumoured presence. One social media user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote: "Is Serena Williams taking one for the team? She loses her Wimbledon comeback match, the second rumours hit that Meghan Markle might show up to 'support' her." The user shared a clip from Meghan's 2019 Wimbledon appearance, where she was surrounded by empty seats.
Empty Seats Controversy
Meghan's last Wimbledon visit in 2019 sparked backlash after she was seen sitting in a section with dozens of empty seats around her, reportedly for security reasons. Critics argued that this wasted highly sought-after tickets that could have gone to devoted fans. One commenter on X said: "Meghan demands dozens of seats around her be emptied for 'security'. Cameraman zooms in tight to hide it, but photographers exposed the full scene. Narcissism on full display. Nobody wants a repeat."
Another fan questioned: "Why would Wimbledon agree to this nonsense? Catherine must have been horrified!" while a third added: "There's no way she will turn up anywhere. She won't be allowed to leave the airport. Wimbledon will not let her behave like that again."
Public Opinion and Royal Fallout
The nation's opinion of Meghan shifted dramatically after she and Prince Harry stepped back as senior royals in 2020. Since then, the couple has faced scrutiny over their security arrangements and public appearances. With the upcoming Wimbledon tournament, many believe Meghan should avoid the event to prevent negative attention. As one commentator put it: "As a nation, we take sport very seriously. If Meghan has any hope of winning over the UK during her upcoming visit, the best thing she can do is watch from a distance."
