Maria Sharapova, aged just 17, stunned the tennis world in July 2004 by defeating Serena Williams 6-1, 6-4 in the Wimbledon final. The Russian teenager dropped to her knees in tears as Williams' forehand hit the net, securing one of the biggest upsets in tennis history. But a local Thai restaurant played a lesser-known role in her triumph.
Sharapova's Regular Order at Thai Tho
Adrian Mills, 69, co-owner of Thai Tho in Wimbledon Village with his wife Nicky, recalled Sharapova's frequent visits during her maiden Grand Slam. 'I remember in 2004, I said to my wife, 'oh, this is that young Russian girl that everybody's talking about',' he said. 'Her father didn't speak any English, her English was a bit broken and she ordered stir fry beef with chilli and egg fried rice.' Mills admitted he doubted her chances: 'I said to my wife, 'there's no way on God's Earth she's going to win Wimbledon with a meal like that'.'
Sharapova returned 10 times over the fortnight, ordering the same meal each time. 'She won her game, she came back 10 times in two weeks, had the same meal every single time and that was the year that she won Wimbledon,' Mills said. He joked, 'Thai Tho really won Wimbledon that year!'
Famous Faces at Thai Tho
Over 33 years of co-ownership, Mills has welcomed many tennis stars, including Sir Andy Murray and his mother Judy, the Williams sisters, Andre Agassi, Chris Evert, and Martina Navratilova. 'Our philosophy is treat everybody the way you wish to be treated and treat everybody the same,' he said. 'The expectation here is good home cooking and actually a relaxed atmosphere. And that's what all the players like. They like the fact that when they come to Wimbledon, they're not harassed.'
Mills, a former presenter on BBC's That's Life! with Dame Esther Rantzen, expects the restaurant to be busy during the championships. 'We usually turn tables twice on Friday and Saturday nights if we're lucky, but during the 14 days of Wimbledon, we'll be doing so three times every evening,' he said.
Sharapova's Legacy
After her 2004 Wimbledon victory, Sharapova went on to win four more Grand Slams, becoming one of only 10 women to achieve a career Grand Slam. For any aspiring champion, Mills suggests skipping the typical pre-match meal for egg fried rice and stir fry—'the ultimate Grand Slam recipe.'
