Princess Kate could 'duck' Wimbledon final as four players discussed behind the scenes

Princess Kate could swerve the Wimbledon ladies' final as the prospect of handing the Venus Rosewater Dish to a Belarusian or Russian player looms, it's been claimed. Athletes from Russia and Belarus were banned from SW19 in 2022 in light of VladimirPutin's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

With world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka yet to drop a set at the All England Club so far, having eased into a quarter-final berth, the prospect of the Minsk-born three-time Grand Slam winner making it to Saturday's Centre Court final is growing more and more likely. The 27-year-old has also been joined in the quarter-finals by three other Russian competitors. Were she, or any of the trio, to grace the showpiece and either win or finish runner-up, they would, in theory, be presented with a trophy by and engage in small talk with the Princess of Wales. However, reports suggest that the diplomatic implications of such a move could prove troublesome for the Palace.

According to the Mail, Princess Kate would have to take advice on how to shake hands and converse with Sabalenka, considering the Russia-Ukraine War. This would also likely apply to any of the three Russian representatives still in the ladies' draw.

Of the eight quarter-finalists, Sabalenka, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Mirra Andreeva and Liudmila Samsonova all hail from either Russia or Belarus. The possibility of Kate attending Saturday's final but not spearheading the trophy presentations had allegedly been suggested but was ruled out. If she were advised, she might skip the final altogether.

Kate missed 2024's ladies' final because of her ill health, as she was undergoing treatment for cancer. Wimbledon chairwoman Debbie Jevans presented the trophy on her behalf, but Kate did make an appearance the following day during the men's final.

In 2023, the prospect she faces again this year became even more of a reality, as Sabalenka was cruising in her semi-final berth against Ons Jabeur. However, she would fall 7(5)-6, 4-6, 3-6 and be dumped out of the competition, sparing any awkwardness.

Yet, The Times reported that even in light of Putin's war in Ukraine, as Russian and Belarusian players returned to Wimbledon that year, Kate would have handed the trophy to a player from either nation, should they have prevailed.

This report suggested that Kate would uphold tradition regardless of the diplomatic implications. Despite concerns over a high-profile British royal handing silverware to a player from one of the countries in conflict with Ukraine, which could be used as propaganda, she supposedly would have remained staunch in fulfilling her duties.

Just months before this claim, Sabalenka became the first neutral Grand Slam singles champion when she won the Australian Open. Speaking afterward, when asked about the lack of a flag behind the victory, she stated: "I think everyone still knows I'm a Belarusian player, and that's it."

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One year prior, Elena Rybakina claimed the Venus Rosewater Dish in a thrilling three-set final against 2023 runner-up Jabeur, beating her 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. Rybakina was born and raised in Moscow. While she initially represented Russia on the court, she chose to change her allegiance to Kazakhstan after gaining citizenship in 2018. Kate presented the 19-year-old with the trophy despite potential awkwardness as the All England Club's patron.