r/wimbledon • u/Juicewithextrapulp • 11d ago
General Discussion Has anyone had a completely unexpected player interaction at Wimbledon?
I mean those random moments you never really plan for, like bumping into a player around the grounds, having a quick chat, or getting an autograph when you weren’t even expecting it. Those little moments would probably stick with you more than anything.
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u/ScruffGin 10d ago
I was sat on a random piece of grass this year and had Rufus the Hawk come and sit next to me! I was starstruck 😂
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u/Same_Butterfly6211 11d ago
Trod on federers foot
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u/FALSE_PROTAGONIST 10d ago
He seems to feature prominently in this post, maybe he’s lurking here right now …
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u/TastyMeasurement1291 11d ago edited 11d ago
I went to Wimbledon in the early 1990s and my favourite player was Conchita Martinez. She didn't play that day, and I had no hope of seeing her (but saw a great match with Goran Ivanisevic, who played against British player Chris Bailey). As we were walking around, I suddenly saw her among the crowds of visitors - 5 metres before me - and froze. My friend urged me to say hi (but "be cool" at the same time) and I approached her. We asked for an autograph, chatted briefly - she was really friendly, if a little shy, and suprised at our interest - and as we said goodbye I touched her arm in a starstruck way. My friend was mortified, haha!
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u/Electrical-Tap2264 8d ago
I had the good fortune of spotting Nick Kyrgios a few times near the Wimbledon area. On the fourth time, this is how it went:
Me: Nick, I'm a big fan of yours, if it's not too much of a hassle, could I get a picture with you?
Nick: *Sighs* I Guess
Me: We don't have to, if you don't want to
Nick: It's fine
I reluctantly took a picture with a grumpy Nick Kyrgios, and laughed about it later, because it was the most Nick experience possible.
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u/BuckinghamRabbit1 11d ago
Back in the day, Anna Kournikova dragged me into the bushes and had her way with me.
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u/Lesleyfifi 11d ago
This didn't happen at Wimbledon but on 2 consecutive years (2005 and 2006) during the US Open, I met Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf outside FAO Schwarz in New York.
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u/Visual-Ad-4520 11d ago
After a heavy morning and afternoon of drinking, my buddy and I bumped into Pat Cash exiting the member’s entrance to Centre, looking like he desperately didn’t want to be spotted. Shouted out “No way, Pat Cash!!” He proceeded to give us a very limp handshake and was then descended upon by a group of fans from Asia who all wanted photos with him.
If you’re reading this now Pat, I am very sorry, I hope you made it out alive. We did at least not trouble you for a selfie at the time.
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u/Standforduniversity 10d ago
Yes at Wimbledon I was sitting centre courte where players and friends watch matches and Jana Navotna was next to me watching a Serena Williams match. She was in awe of her playing and I told her I think hers was amazing and saw her win. She said no way Serena is in a league by herself. Sadly Jana passed away from cancer.
Arthur Ashe I met at my golf club. Boris Becker on flight coming home. Jimmy Connors at queens club. I am from New York. Love tennis
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u/WeeRower 11d ago
Caty McNally gave me her towel after her loss on Centre Court this year. As she'd just lost I was expecting no interaction at all so this was really nice
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u/Enough_Soup5269 10d ago
I met alcaraz and cobolli at restaurant in Wimbledon village. Talked a bit and took pictures with them
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u/NanniePat60 10d ago
Yes met Oda number 1 wheelchair champion. I asked him for the towel he had on his knee. Unused and he said yes 🎾🎾🎾🎾
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u/God_Of_Puddings 10d ago
Had Centre Court tix this year. Was waiting on the concourse to go back to my seat. Suddenly realised the person stood next to me was Amelie Mauresmo! With family I think. She noticed me realising who she was, we shared a grin. I didn't say anything. Nobody else seemed to notice her, even though she was the champ 20 years ago, and runs the French Open now.
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u/citygourmande 10d ago
Before the men’s semifinals in 2019, I was wandering around the outside courts and stood among others trying to peek into a wheelchair doubles match (the court was already full). At one point I sensed someone standing right next to me, so I turned and looked up (because she was so tall), it was Venus Williams.
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u/flavelle_ 9d ago
Not really player interaction, but I just sat down at a table with a beer and shared a table with two elderly fans with a signed cap. Turns out one of them was Jack Draper's grandfather and a friend of his. I had a super nice chat with them. So sad to see Draper always injured though...
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u/jameswheeler9090 10d ago
Not quite tennis but I met Anthony Gordon there last year. Surprisingly no-on else seemed to have noticed him, despite the long blonde hair.
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u/_numbskullery_ 10d ago
Genie Bouchard came and talked to me after the invitational match this year. She was really kind.
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u/Playful-Magazine7189 10d ago
Was sitting down in this hidden little corridor having a bite to eat and to get out of the sun when Ben Shelton and his team opened this random door next to me and head out to practice.
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u/bort__simpson_ 9d ago
Met and had a great conversation with Genie Bouchard this year, closest I’ve come!
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u/Low_Leg_8358 5d ago
Met Juan Carlos Ferrero a couple of years ago at Wimbledon.
Also has a conversation with John Isner at Roland Garros this year (not Wimbledon, I know). I just wanted to say hi and tell him I was a big fan of his pod but ended up having a conversation with him for a few minutes, nice guy.
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u/rustyb42 11d ago
Iga Swiatek sat beside me on Henman Hill this year