Hugh Grant has come under fire from a number of tennis fans after the Love Actually star appeared to nod off in the Royal Box at Wimbledon on Wednesday.
BBC cameras captured the moment during the men’s quarter-final between Novak Djokovic and Flavio Cobolli which showed the 64-year-old actor apparently sleeping just minutes after chatting with Queen Camilla at Centre Court.
Grant had arrived at the All England Lawn Tennis Club with his wife Anna Erbstein, taking their seats in the Royal Box to watch the second quarter-final on Centre Court.
The actor was wearing sunglasses when cameras caught him with his head tilted downwards during the match.
The couple had been photographed earlier looking animated and laughing together, with Grant seen standing alongside other guests to welcome Queen Camilla to Centre Court.
BBC Sport shared the footage on X with the caption: “It’s all got a bit too much for Hugh Grant,” accompanied by laughing and sleeping emojis. The clip quickly went viral, with tennis fans reacting online.
However, a rather fiery debate emerged among Wimbledon fans, with some seeing the funny side of the nap and others outraged that someone with such sought-after tickets would fall asleep.
On X, one user addressed Djokovic’s opponent directly, taking aim at Grant as they said: “COBOLLI I think HUGH GRANT owes you a massive apology for being asleep in your tie breaker situation, totally disrespectful.”
A second also hit out: “Hugh Grant is sleeping through the first set tie break! T**ts like him and some other ‘celebs’ who get privileged tickets for #Wimbledon2025 don’t deserve them!!!”
“Hugh Grant is sleeping why is he there?” a third upset fan questioned before a fourth suggested: “A little too much complimentary alcohol and sun for Hugh Grant on centre court and in the Royal Box at Wimbledon today. He won’t get an invite again if he can’t be bothered to stay awake and watch!! #wimbledon.”
And a fifth kept the complaints coming, sharing: “Hugh Grant sleeping on the bench is a shame and an outrage. No matter how tired he was, even if he needed coffee injected into his veins, if I were there, I guarantee I’d never make such a spectacle #WIMBLEDON.”
Among the furore were some fans who decided to find the humour in the incident. “Hugh Grant asleep in the royal box is the best thing I’ve seen at #WIMBLEDON this year!! I love this man!!” one supporter lauded on X.
Meanwhile, a second agreed: “Hugh Grant flat out kipping at Wimbledon is the best thing I’ve seen today.”
Elsewhere, others were merely left in disbelief at Grant’s decision to get some shut-eye. “How’s Hugh grant asleep during a f***ing tie break hahahahah,” another typed. (sic)
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The match took place during a day of glorious 26-degree heat at SW19, with numerous celebrities joining Grant in the Royal Box.
Hannah Waddingham attended in a stylish red alice + olivia dress, whilst Emily Atack sported a black and white gown and was photographed sipping Pimm’s.
Jack Whitehall and his fiancée Roxy Horner were also present, enjoying time away from parenting duties. The couple posed in the Vodafone Lounge with Whitehall’s parents, Michael and Hilary, before taking their seats.
Other notable attendees included former Prime Minister John Major and GK Barry, who wore a chic black and white tweed dress.
The incident occurred during what was described as a “nail-biting match” between Djokovic and the Italian player.
Grant had been seated amongst other high-profile guests in the Royal Box, having been photographed earlier appearing jovial and engaged.
Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat health alert for southern England, including London, lasting seven days from July 8.
The Met Office warned that some areas could see temperatures in the low 30s by the end of the week, with “significant impacts” expected across health and social care services.
England experienced its warmest June on record last month, with July 1 seeing the year’s hottest day at 34.7C in central London.
