Saturday was 'Bring your family to Wimbledon day' for former WTA Wimbledon champs

Maria Sharapova and Ashleigh Barty reminisced with their families on the hallowed grounds of Centre Court
Clive Brunskill/GettyImages
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Tennis fans love to see the sport's champions out and about long after they achieved peak success in the sport. That is especially true for the ladies' champions who go on to start families and have little ones in their arms or running around when we see them in the public eye.

Saturday was special at Wimbledon because we saw two former Wimbledon champions on the grounds showing their families around one of the places that shaped their professional tennis careers.

First up was Maria Sharapova. It is always a pleasure to see Sharapova around; she was at the US Open last fall. She is celebrating an anniversary this year. 2024 is the 20th Anniversary of Maria Sharapova's improbable Wimbledon title over Serena Williams. Sharapova, her fiance Alexander Gilkes, and their son Theodore were on the grounds. Though Sharapova is forever known for that epic 2004 ladies' final, she was a three-time semifinalist in 2005, 2006, and 2015.

Ashleigh Barty was also spotted at Wimbledon

Australian Ashleigh Barty's Wimbledon success was more recent. The 2021 Wimbledon champion abruptly retired from the sport in 2022. Barty walked away from the game at the height of her success, and many believe she would have won more Wimbledons and Grand Slams. The 28-year-old is juggling multiple roles at Wimbledon this year. She is playing in the Wimbledon exhibition and handling announcing duties alongside fellow Aussie Nick Kyrgios and other tennis greats for BBC.

Next. Wimbledon 2024: Everything you need to know. Wimbledon 2024: Everything you need to know. dark

Barty and her husband Garry who was a frequent spectator during her playing career brough their son Hayden for a look around the pristine courts.

While we are on the topic of tennis moms, there are so many mothers currently playing on the WTA Tour, could one of them win Wimbledon this year? Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina, Caroline Wozniacki, Taylor Townsend, and Victoria Azarenka are the contenders.

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