Mike Tindall has made his first public appearance since revealing his father had died after struggling with Parkinson's disease for 23 years. The former England rugby star attended the Laver Cup team tennis exhibition at The O2 Arena in London on Friday, September 25, in his first public outing since sharing news of his loss.
Zara Tindall's husband confirmed the death of his dad, Philip Tindall, on his The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast. At the event, Zara was by his side, and the couple were pictured chatting to tennis legend Roger Federer.
Support from tennis stars
Mike and Zara were also photographed with players Learner Tien, Francisco Cerundolo and Casper Ruud. The Tindalls are long-time supporters of the Laver Cup, according to Hello! magazine. It was co-founded by Federer, who is a friend of the royal couple.
Announcing the death of his father, Mike told his podcast listeners: "Unfortunately, my dad passed away last week." He revealed that a minute's silence was held in his father's honour at Otley Rugby Club last weekend.
Father's rugby legacy
Philip Tindall captained Otley Rugby Club from 1972-73. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2003. His son is patron of Cure Parkinson's and has long campaigned to raise funds for the charity's research into the condition.
Mike has previously talked about the devastating effect the disease had on his dad and praised his mother Linda for the care she gave to her husband. In 2021, he called his mother "a very stoic, northern lady, who refuses to give her man up", but said he was trying to convince her to accept offers of support.
Tributes and condolences
In the podcast episode, Mike described how his father, who had to retire from playing rugby at the age of 27, broke his leg the week before his wedding day and had to walk down the aisle in a cast. Mike said: "A big shout out to Otley Rugby Club. They played Chester on the weekend and they did a minute of silence to my dad who was captain in '72-'73."
"He got married in '69, broke his leg the week before, went down the aisle in a cast. I mean, it sort of all went wrong. He had to retire at 27. But thank you very much to Otley Rugby Club for that little moment. I got to watch it. Someone recorded it and sent it to me and then they wrote a little thing in the programme as well which I read."
Podcast co-host Alex Payne told him: "Massive hug from all of us and all our listeners and all our readers… to you and Team Tindall." The charity Parkinson's UK expressed sadness at the death of Philip Tindall and thanked the family for their openness about the disease. It said: "Through the family's openness about their life with Parkinson's, the Tindalls have made others feel less alone and more understood."
Parkinson's UK added: "Alongside the desperate need for a cure, together they took time to highlight the importance of a community, a network of people around you. Something that will no doubt be invaluable to them right now."
