The daughter of fundraiser Sir Tom Moore also sits in the royal box.
London – The tennis world is currently looking spellbound to Wimbledon. The most important tournament in the world has been pulling fans back under its spell since Monday (June 28th, 2021). The break was even longer this time than usual, as the classic in the Corona year 2020 was the only Grand Slam tournament to fall victim to the pandemic. Two years after the final between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, the most coveted tennis titles are being played on grass again.
A year ago it was still in the stars when the next time tennis would be played at Wimbledon. Because vaccines against the coronavirus were still being developed at the time, so a return soon was out of the question. But there are now numerous vaccines on the market, including those from Biontech / Pfizer and Moderna. Great Britain is particularly proud of the vaccine from Astrazeneca, which the pharmaceutical company developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford.
Tennis fans at Wimbledon celebrate “inspiring personalities”
This was also evident on the opening day at Wimbledon, when the fans celebrated a scientist who worked on this vaccine with thunderous applause. The Duke of Kent also celebrated Dame Sarah Gilbert, one of a number of “inspiring personalities” invited to watch the games on the first day from the royal box. Gilbert was visibly touched.
Among those honored was Hannah Ingram-Moore, daughter of the late Sir Tom Moore, who raised more than £ 32 million for the NHS public health service in 2020.
An opening day on Centre Court with a difference…
A special moment as we say thank you to those who have played such an important role in the response to COVID-19#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/16dW1kQ2nr
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2021
Corona not over: Delta variant is rampant in Great Britain
Nevertheless, Corona is far from over. In fact, the delta variant of the coronavirus, which is considered to be particularly contagious, is currently rampant across the UK. Germany has therefore classified Great Britain as a virus variant area, so strict quarantine regulations apply to entries from the United Kingdom. The fact that the last 16 match of the German national soccer team at the EM 2021 against England at Wembley Stadium will be played in front of around 40,000 spectators causes a lot of criticism from everywhere.
Meanwhile, those in charge at Wimbledon hope that their regulations are sufficient. Tennis fans have to prove that they have been vaccinated or have a negative Covid test, and face masks have to be worn when going for a walk. (Christian Stör)
