‘Wimbledon scolded me for breaking the royal protocol – I wanted to do it again’

This tennis icon broke royal protocol at Wimbledon and admits he got a “slap on the wrist” from the All England Club

Pat Cash has admitted to flouting royal protocol at Wimbledon. The 1987 champion clambered through the Centre Court stands to embrace his family and team in his box following his straight sets victory over Ivan Lendl.

It is a celebration that has become the stuff of legend and has been replicated by numerous champions ever since. Wimbledon has even installed a gate to make access easier.

However, the 61-year-old has now revealed that he was reprimanded by Wimbledon officials and pledged not to repeat the gesture, as it had kept Princess Diana, who was watching from the Royal Box, waiting for the trophy ceremony to begin.

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Cash reflected on the incident during the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage on Friday, drawing comparisons to Princess Kate turning up to watch Arthur Fery on Court 3 on Thursday morning.

“I did [have royals watching my match], I was climbing up the stands all those years ago,” Cash said. “Princess Diana was there.

“I got told off because I kept the royals waiting by climbing through the stand, I got a wrist slap from the club.

“I promised to never do it again – with my fingers crossed firmly behind my back. But I never got the chance to do it again.”

Fery remains the sole British singles player to have advanced to the third round. The 23-year-old defeated Otto Virtanen to set up a meeting with Belgian Zizou Bergs.

And he was left stunned upon learning that the Princess of Wales had arrived early specifically to watch him play. Fery said: “I didn’t know she was coming.

“I didn’t know that, yeah, that was the case. So I can’t really answer your question. Yeah, I mean, it’s obviously an honor to play in front of her.

“Yeah, I guess if I’d known, it would have maybe made me a little tight. Yeah, I guess it’s an honor to play in front of her.”