Venus Williams has stepped onto Centre Court as she bids to secure a sixth Wimbledon title in the final of the tournament.
The 37-year-old takes on 23-year-old Garbine Muguruza under a closed roof, after rain suspended play on outside courts at SW19.
Following in great footsteps.@GarbiMuguruza and @Venuseswilliams make the walk to Centre Court…#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/IvyxDmOMCe
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 15, 2017
A packed crowd cheered loudly as the players walked out, holding huge colourful bouquets of flowers.
The finalists are being watched by a host of famous faces, including former Great British Bake Off judge Mary Berry, Dame Kelly Holmes, actor Aidan Turner and American actress Hilary Swank.
Mary Berry wore pink (Gareth Fuller/PA)
They were joined in the Royal Box by several former professional tennis players including Virginia Wade – the last British woman to lift the trophy in 1977 – and American and former world number one Billie Jean King.
Berry, wearing a bright pink dress, matching kitten heels and a light pink coat, posed for photographs outside the members’ enclosure. The 82-year-old teamed her finals day outfit with a chunky pearl necklace.
Sir Cliff wore a floral and black jacket (Gareth Fuller/PA)
Sir Cliff Richard, who has enjoyed several days at the tournament, was also spotted arriving at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in a dark patterned jacket. Swank opted for a pink scalloped-edge sleeveless dress.
Play was suspended on outside courts as rain started falling at SW19 around lunchtime, bringing a halt to the men’s wheelchair doubles final with Britain’s Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid’s down a set to France’s Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer.
Rematch…
The men's wheelchair doubles final is on No.3 Court now, with Reid/Hewett facing Houdet/Peifer in a repeat of last year's final pic.twitter.com/NcEv5EA8BZ— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 15, 2017
The decision was made that the women’s singles final will be played under the closed Centre Court roof for the first time.
The winner will take home £2.2 million in prize money, with the runner-up netting £1.1 million.
A very warm #Wimbledon welcome to Rebecca performing the Coin Toss at the Ladies' Singles Final today @BBCCiN @BrainTumourOrg @PAHospice 👋 pic.twitter.com/ZCkaWZyiDD
— Wimbledon Foundation (@WimbledonFdn) July 15, 2017
The coin toss was performed by 12-year-old Rebecca Jones, who was chosen for the honour by BBC Children in Need after losing her father to a brain tumour last year.
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