Simona Halep hopes Kate Middleton is cheering her on from Royal Box in Wimbledon final

Marching on: Halep will contest her first Wimbledon final
AFP/Getty Images
Giuseppe Muro12 July 2019

Simona Halep hopes the Duchess of Cambridge will be in the Royal Box supporting her on Saturday.

Serena Williams is expected to be backed by her close friend the Duchess of Sussex when she aims to draw level with Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

But Halep hopes Kate and Meghan will be split for a few hours on Centre Court and, asked who she would like supporting her, she said: “Kate. I like her. It is very special to be able to play a Wimbledon final, it is pretty amazing.”

The Romanian former world No1 is determined it will not be a procession for Williams and the 27-year-old is not intimidated by the American. She is at the top of her game and finally feels comfortable on grass.

Halep reached the semi-finals here five years ago, when she lost to Eugenie Bouchard, but now she feels mentally stronger.

She said: “I have learned I have a chance to win against Serena.”

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