David Beckham is praised by Aryna Sabalenka as Wimbledon’s Royal Box empties out after men’s tennis finishes

Sir David Beckham He was praised by tennis star Aryna Sabalenka for remaining in his seat as Wimbledon’s Royal Box emptied after the men’s match ended on Monday.

A video on social media showed Sir David surrounded by dozens of empty seats with the words: ‘In a world where the stadium is empty after the men’s game is over… #womensport.’

Sabalenka, a 28-year-old Belarusian, clearly appreciated the support her friend showed after defeating 19-year-old Serbian teenager Teodora Kostovic 6-2 6-3 on the first day of Wimbledon.

The world No 1 thanked the crowd for their support after his first round win and then turned to the former footballer and said: ‘Sir David, thank you for being here!’

Sir David, 51, was in the audience with his mother Sandra, who was seated next to his former nemesis Katherine Jenkins, 46; Ronan Keating (49) and Mary Berry (91) in the men’s match between Jannik Sinner and Miomir Kecmanovic.

However, they were later seen vacating their seats after Sinner’s win, with people taking the opportunity to take a toilet break and top up their drinks or go elsewhere.

A spectator shared a video of the Royal Box, which was much emptier after men’s tennis ended, on social media with the hashtag #womensport.

As David happily sat alone and watched his friend play, Aryna said: ‘Sir David, thank you for being here!’

No-nonsense host Alexander Armstrong, 56, and his wife Hannah Bronwen Snow, 49, remained in their seats after the men’s match and chatted with Sir David

While the athlete watched the match carefully, other guests were glued to their phones.

As Sir David chatted with former tennis player Debbie Jevans, some of the seats around them remained empty.

Aryna Sabalenka paid tribute to Sir David and thanked the crowd for continuing to watch her play

Earlier, a packed crowd, including Sir David and his mother Sandra, watched Jannik Sinner begin his title defense with a five-set victory over Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanović.

No-nonsense host Alexander Armstrong, 56, and his wife Hannah Bronwen Snow, 49, remained in their seats after the men’s match and chatted with Sir David.

Sir David’s son Romeo, 23, and girlfriend Kim Turnbull, 25, were also on Center Court but did not have invitations to the Royal Box.

Sabalenka and Sir David share a close, professional and personal friendship. The duo have teamed up for IM8, an elite health and daily nutrition brand co-founded by the football legend and health sciences company Prenetics.

After her win, Sabalenka praised her opponent Kostovic and said: ‘He put up a really good fight. He got a little ahead in the second set.

Previously, David was sitting next to his old enemy Katherine Jenkins. This could potentially be an awkward relationship, after he previously reported in a leaked email that he had failed to receive an OBE.

At one point, the opera star turned away as Sir David turned towards the second row, where Katherine was sitting to take a selfie with her mother.

Nicola Peltz’s brother Will Peltz, 40, and his new model wife Kenya Kinski-Jones, 33, joined the Beckhams during their family feud the day after David’s appearance.

The newlyweds put family drama aside and enjoyed a day watching the tennis match, where Kenya stunned the Wimbledon whites.

Katherine, who was seen in the Royal Lodge on Monday, rejoined with her husband Andrew Levitas on Tuesday.

It was all too much for comedian Katherine Ryan, who fell asleep on her husband Bobby Kootstra’s shoulder after attending two days in a row.

The couple sat in the stands next to David Gandy and Suleiman Suleiman.

Jameela Jamil, who attended the first day alone, met with her long-time partner James Blake for another tennis day today.

Mollie King and Stuart Broad opted for matching cream suits as they attended the second day of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Club on Tuesday

The radio presenter looked effortlessly stylish in a white suit as she joined husband Stuart in the stands

British broadcaster Greg James chats to radio star Mollie at Wimbledon

Cliff Richard sat in the Royal Box for the Women’s Singles first round match between Taylor Townsend and Iga Swiatek

Opera star Alfie Boe, 52, looked dapper in a pale blue suit as he sat next to girlfriend Elizabeth Worthington in Center Court.

Jazz star Jamie Callum takes his place on Center Court before the afternoon matches of the second day

Bestselling author Richard Osman was seen joking with a tennis fan friend

The 55-year-old former TV quiz show host was accompanied by his wife Ingrid, whom he married in December 2022, at Wimbledon

Fiona Shaw, her husband Sonali Deraniyagala, Celia Imirie, former cricketer Stuart and Mollie were in the Royal Lodge

David Gandy and Suleiman Sulaiman looked nervous as they watched a match go by

‘He pushed me a little more. I’m happy to be able to cover it in straight sets. I totally get it. Playing on Center Court for the first time creates a lot of pressure. But I’m sure you’ll handle it much better next time.

‘I think we’re all nervous. It’s just part of our lives. You kind of block that part of your brain and just kind of try to focus on yourself. I think through my experiences I’ve learned a little better how to deal with nerves and expectations.

‘I must say I felt pretty good in the first game. I’ll rate myself… shall we say 8 out of 10?’

Before that, the crowd was watching Jannik Sinner begin his title defense with a five-set victory over Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanović, 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-3.

In the final match of the day, Novak Djokovic defeated Wu Yibing and then caught up with Sir David and his mother.

Sitting in the row behind Sir David, Ms Jenkins could potentially be the odd one out after previously accusing him in a leaked email nine years ago. but they did not interact.

In a series of leaked emails published in 2017, Sir David allegedly criticized the Welsh singer and questioned why he had been awarded an OBE after failing to achieve a knighthood.

One email allegedly read: ‘Katherine Jenkins OBE for what? Singing at a rugby match, going to see the soldiers and also smoking cocaine. ‘It’s a fucking joke.’

The opera star was awarded an OBE in 2014 for her services to various charities and traveling to war zones to entertain soldiers. Sir David will be named King George III in November 2025 for his services to sport and charity. He was officially knighted by Charles.

The hacked emails also made allegations about his stance on the Scottish referendum and his investment in loss-making companies to reduce his tax bill.

Sir David’s representatives denied the allegations at the time, stating that the emails were “hacked and altered” from a private account.