Rafael Nadal is now just two matches away from winning a record-extending 23rd Grand Slam title and third at Wimbledon. He will have to defeat the red-hot Nick Kyrgios in the semi-final, and either defending champion Novak Djokovic or home favourite Cam Norrie in Sunday’s final, if his body allows him to do so after suffering an abdominal injury in his quarter final clash with Taylor Fritz.
But back in 2010, in pursuit of his second championship at the All England Club, Nadal received a rare invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to have lunch. He had been invited to spend time with Her Majesty during her visit to Wimbledon, her first since 1977.
Despite being offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Nadal decided he did want to jeopardise his pre-match routine before a second-round clash with Dutch star Robin Haase. He was concerned that he may not be left with an adequate amount of time to prepare for the clash — which was scheduled as the last match of the day — if he met the monarch.
