Kate accidentally catches tennis ball with hands during Roger Federer match

Princess Kate together with Roger Federer for an impromptu tennis match prior to the Wimbledon championship.

In a YouTube video shared by the tennis league on Saturday, June 24, the Princess of Wales, 41, met Federer, also 41, on the court. The duo were joined by local ball boys and girls, who showed them a few tricks.

“The unsung heroes of @wimbledon”, a joint post on Kate and the tennis icon Instagram account read later on Saturday. “The skill and dedication of the Ball Boys and Girls is what makes The Championships so special. They certainly taught us a thing or two!”

During a moment of Federer’s serve, Kate – who is the current patron of the Wimbledon Tennis Club – caught the ball with one hand.

“Can you do that?” he suggested ball girl mollie before the Duchess of Cornwall agreed. “Oh wait, can you do that?” she asked. “That is a good question.”

In turn, Federer pointed out that in Australia “they would catch it”, but it is not regulation at Wimbledon.

“Yeah, you’re not supposed to get him,” Mollie told the two. “You’re supposed to bounce it and then catch it, but good catch.”

The annual tennis championships take place at England’s stadium and start on Wednesday 3rd July. It ends almost two weeks later on Sunday, July 16.

The Duchess of Cambridge, who shares three children with her husband prince william — showed off her sporty side during the pre-tournament outing, wearing her tennis white with a high ponytail. Kate even tried out a few training drills of throwing tennis balls before picking up a racket herself.

Kate – who has watched many Wimbledon matches from the royal box, including the 2022 match where she brought along son Prince George – became the patron of the organization in May 2016 when she took over from Queen Elizabeth II. The Duchess also serves as a patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Kate grew up a fan of the sport and Federer in particular, long before she received her endorsement.

“Roger is my mother’s heartthrob,” Kate gushed in the June 2017 BBC One documentary Sue Barker: Our Wimbledon. “I don’t think she’ll mind if I say that. I think he probably knows that too.”

She added: “I was really impressed [Andre] Agassi And [Pete] Sampras, [Goran] Ivanisevic And Steffi Graf. Those were my first memories. … [Wimbledon] inspires young people, including myself. Every time Wimbledon is on I think, ‘Yeah, I could do the same’ and get out of the ruckus. Unfortunately not the same results.”

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