Beyoncé Cheers Serena Williams On As She Wins Seventh Wimbledon Singles Title
Beyoncé cheered Serena Williams on as she won her seventh Wimbledon singles title. The singer took a break from her hectic World Formation Tour to support her friend Serena in the match on Saturday, June 9.
Joined by her husband, Jay Z, the couple attended the Ladies’ Singles Final on Day 12 of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England. Looking cool and sophisticated in matching all-white ensembles, the pair joined Serena’s sister, Venus, in the player’s box on Centre Court to watch the match.
Beyoncé wore a white lace outfit with a high collar, while her husband matched her in a white T-shirt. The Lemonade singer, 34, paired long blonde braids pulled back in a rope ponytail with some round, retro-style sunnies. But even her shades couldn’t hide her emotions as she cheered Serena on for the win. Serena beat her opponent, Angelique Kerber, 7-5 6-3, winning her seventh Wimbledon singles crown and 22nd Grand Slam title. The singer seemed stunned for a moment after Serena won the match, throwing her arms up and cheering a few seconds after the people around her had already gotten up to their feet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mBlxB9kEBA
The tennis ace, also 34, appeared in Beyoncé’s “Sorry” music video. The song was part of Beyoncé’s surprise visual album Lemonade, which she released at the end of April.
Serena gave an interview for WSJ magazine last month and was asked about her infamous twerking cameo in the video.
“I’ve known Bey for a long time. I got really sore from dancing!”
Also in attendance for William’s match were Natalie Portman, Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams, and Ellen DeGeneres with her wife Portia de Rossi, who were smiling from their seats and chatting with the crowd.
Serena netted a cool £2 million in prize money, with the German runner-up earning £1 million in consolation.
Williams fell on her back, legs in the air, onto the Centre Court Grass after dispatching Kerber in two sets with a huge smile on her face. And after consoling her opponent, she walked back to the centre of the court and raised two fingers on both hands, showing her delight at equaling Graf’s 22 grand slams record.
Other celebrities congratulated Serena Williams on her big win via Twitter.
#Serena ?? I bow down. And am simultaneously uplifted.
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) July 9, 2016
Today, is for Serena. #Wimbledon #champion pic.twitter.com/BhxXXdMgtD
— Uzo Aduba (@UzoAduba) July 9, 2016
Man I'm crying. @serenawilliams just put a small bandaid on my heart! Thank you!!!! Thank you my beautiful friend!
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) July 9, 2016
Beyoncé’s Wimbledon appearance was Bey’s first outing since publishing a lengthy post regarding the recent shooting deaths of black men by police.
“It is up to us to take a stand and demand that they ‘stop killing us.’
“We don’t need sympathy. We need everyone to respect our lives. We’re going to stand up as a community and fight against anyone who believes that murder or any violent action by those who are sworn to protect us should consistently go unpunished.”
Serena’s victory was definitely some good news after the tragic week America has seen. The fact that she is an African-American woman makes this win all the more important for the U.S. right now. Beyoncé cheered Serena Williams on to support her friend and to support the African-American community.
Beyoncé was already in London this week for her World Formation Tour. The singer paused during her Glasgow performance on Thursday night to hold a moment of silence in memory of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, two black men who were fatally shot by police officers in the U.S. within a day of each other this week.
The “Freedom” singer performed a passionate a capella version of the song during the concert that moved the crowd of fans before her. Husband Jay Z released his first song in three years, “Spiritual,” in response to the deaths.
Williams addressed the crowd to thank them for their support.
“It makes the victory even sweeter to know how hard I worked for it. Thank you guys for being here to see number 22. This court definitely feels like home.”
Later Saturday, Williams and sister Venus won the doubles tournament as well, their sixth Wimbledon victory together.
The American sisters smiled and waved at the crowds as they celebrated their win against Timea Babos of Hungary and Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan.
The official Wimbledon Twitter account gave Serena a shout out using a Taylor Swift quote.
Feeling 22.#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/qjeNNAWCb2
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2016
It was a special Wimbledon for both of the Williams sisters this year. Jay seemed totally into the match as Beyoncé cheers Serena Williams on and seems more than happy to step back from the spotlight for a day to watch Serena take center stage on the court. However, Queen Bey never rests for too long, as she was due to perform in Ireland that night at Dublin’s Croke Park.
[Photo by Adam Davy/Press Association/Pool/Getty Images]
