Duchess Kate reveals Prince George received lesson from favorite tennis player Roger Federer

Kate, 37, has long been an avid tennis player and fan, and her son is, too.

July 5, 2019, 10:02 AM

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, visited Wimbledon Tuesday, but she may be attending the famed tournament in the future to watch her son, Prince George, play.

Duchess Kate told fellow guests Katie Boulter and Anne Keothavong that eight-time Wimbledon winner Roger Federer is Prince George’s favorite player, according to Wimbledon’s “Coffee Morning” show.

She also said the superstar has even played tennis with George, which Federer said took place at Kate’s parents’ home in Bucklebury.

“I hope that he’ll still say the same in a few years’ time and this is not just an in-the-moment situation,” Federer said during an interview.

PHOTO: In this file photo, Prince William and Kate Middleton watching Roger Federer on Day 9 of the Wimbledon championships on June, 23, 2014.
In this file photo, Prince William and Kate Middleton watching Roger Federer on Day 9 of the Wimbledon championships on June, 23, 2014.
Antoine Couvercelle via Newscom, FILE

The "Coffee Morning" hosts noted Duchess Kate’s family “loves tennis.” In fact, Kate, 37, is patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC).

She took over the patronage of the AELTC from Queen Elizabeth II in 2017.

During Tuesday’s outing, Kate sported a chic collared white midi dress with black buttons down the front by British designer Suzannah as she took her seat in the royal box on Tuesday, her second match of the day.

Earlier, she had visited an outside court and cheered on the British tennis player Harriet Dart with Boulter and Keothavong.

Kate grew up as an avid tennis player and huge fan. In 2017, she shared in a BBC One documentary on Wimbledon that tennis was a huge part of her life growing up and that watching Wimbledon matches made her want to be a tennis star.

"I was really taken by [Andre] Agassi and [Pete] Sampras, [Goran] Ivanisevic and Steffi Graf," Kate recalled of a childhood spent watching Wimbledon. "That, for me, was my first memories."

PHOTO: Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, watches from the Royal Box ahead of the first round match between Germany's Tatjana Maria and Angelique Kerber.
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, watches from the Royal Box ahead of the first round match between Germany's Tatjana Maria and Angelique Kerber.
Carl Recine/Reuters

"It inspires young people, including myself," she continued. "Every time Wimbledon is on I am thinking, 'Yes, I could do the same' and get out the racket. Sadly, not the same results."

PHOTO: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the second day of Wimbledon, July 2, 2019 in London.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the second day of Wimbledon, July 2, 2019 in London.
Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Kate and William have also been known to have a fierce rivalry on the court, with her saying in 2017 that she and William are pretty "even."

The couple has been courtside, often joined by her family, including her sister, Pippa, at the All England Club through the years cheering on players like British favorite Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Serena Williams and more.

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