Eileen Gu, the Olympic freestyle skiing champion, sat in Wimbledon’s Royal Box on 13 July 2026 as Linda Nosková lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish.
What happened at Wimbledon 2026?
The women’s singles final at the All England Club featured Nosková, 21, against Muchová, 29. Nosková won 6-4, 6-4 in 79 minutes. The Czech teenager had beaten Marta Kostyuk in the semifinals. Muchová topped Coco Gauff in a semifinal thriller. Both arrived on grass-winning streaks—Nosková after Berlin, Muchová after Bad Homburg.
Who else shared the Royal Box?
Princess Kate Middleton presented the trophy. Former champions Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep watched from the front row. Martina Navratilova also attended. Other guests included Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Ford, and Anna Wintour. Roger Federer and Sachin Tendulkar popped in earlier in the fortnight.
Why Eileen Gu’s presence matters
Gu, 23, is one of the most recognizable winter-sports athletes globally. Her appearance at a tennis major highlights her crossover appeal. The Royal Box crowd mixes sport and society, and Gu’s presence adds winter-sport glamour. She has previously attended high-profile events like the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and fashion weeks.
What comes next for Gu?
Gu is training for the 2027 World Championships in Are, Sweden. Her 2026 season included podiums in halfpipe and slopestyle. The next Grand Slam of winter sports arrives in February 2027. Gu’s team has not announced her grass-court plans—she’s focused on snow.