By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, June 13, 2024
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport
Wimbledon will not speculate on Kate Middleton's presence at The Championships.
The Princess of Wales, who announced she was undergoing cancer treatment, has traditionally presented trophies at Wimbledon.
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Asked about Kate Middleton's possible presence at the Championships, All England Lawn Tennis Club Chair Deborah Jevans said full focus is on the Princess of Wales' recovery and the Club does not want to add additional pressure by speculating on her status.
"Our priority is clearly that our Patron has the time to recover and we’re certainly not going to add any additional pressure on her recovery by speculating on her attendance at this year’s Championships," Deborah Jevans told the media on Thursday.
In a moving video announcement issued in March, the Princess of Wales shared her condition and chemotherapy treatment plan.
"In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London," Kate Middleton said in her announcement. "And at the time, it was thought my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful, however tests after the operation found cancer had been present.
"My medical team therefore advised I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I'm not in the early stages of that treatment."
Kate Middleton is an avid tennis fan and an accomplished player herself, who has hit with friends Roger Federer and his wife, former WTA pro Mirka Federer.
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport
The Princess of Wales showed her compassion consoling Tunisian trailblazer Ons Jabeur following her Wimbledon finals losses to Elena Rybakina in 2022 and to Czech left-hander Marketa Vondrousova last July.
Asked who will present the trophies to the Wimbledon ladies champion and finalist on Saturday, July 13th and to the men's champion and runner-up on Sunday, July 14th, Deborah Jevans said in accordance with club policy the presenter will be announced the morning of each final.
"And when it comes to the presentation ceremony, as in previous years, we will announce those that are going to be a part of that ceremony on the morning of the finals, so nothing has changed in that regard," Deborah Jevans told the media today.
Wimbledon is set for July 1-14th.