Sachin, Lara enjoy Wimbledon from royal box

London :

Sachin Tendulkar was among a host of sports stars who packed out the royal box on Centre Court at Wimbledon on Saturday, with top internationals and Olympic gold medallists among the throng.

India's master batsman Tendulkar and West Indies hero Brian Lara were in attendance from the world of cricket, while England football greats Bobby Charlton and Glenn Hoddle were also invited.

Former Wimbledon champions included Martina Navratilova, Budge Patty, Jan Kodes and Australian trio Ashley Cooper, Neale Fraser and Evonne Goolagong-Cawley.

Romanian tennis legend Ilie Nastase and former British number one Roger Taylor joined them.

From rugby union, the world's most capped forward Jason Leonard, England captain Lewis Moody, and former England internationals Alastair Hignell and Martin Bayfield watched the action.

Among the British Olympic gold medallists present were cyclists Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton, athlete Kelly Holmes, canoeist Tim Brabants and skeleton racer Amy Williams.

US skiing gold medallist Julia Mancuso, New Zealand golfer Bob Charles, who won The Open in 1963, and British former swimming world record holder Mark Foster also attended.

Saturday was Armed Forces Day in Britain and representatives from the military in the royal box were given a standing ovation.

The stars saw reigning women's champion Serena Williams defeat Dominika Cibulkova, 2008 men's champion Rafael Nadal take on Philipp Petzschner and British favourite Andy Murray play Gilles Simon.