New Delhi: Wimbledon spectators on Monday paid tribute to Sarah Gilbert, the Oxford University professor who co-designed the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, giving her a standing ovation on Centre Court before play began in the annual tennis tournament.


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The crowd also applauded the efforts of organisations that have contributed to Britain`s fight against COVID-19. But the loudest cheers were reserved for Gilbert as well as the staff of the National Health Service (NHS).


Gilbert, who was seated in the royal box, was awarded a damehood in the Queen`s birthday honours earlier this month.



The Grand Slam event also plans to invite other individuals who have played a big part in combating the coronavirus to watch the action at this year`s Championships seated in the royal box.


Also in the royal box was Hannah Ingram-Moore, the daughter of late Captain Tom Moore, who struck a chord with locked-down Britain by walking around his garden with the help of a frame to raise millions of pounds for NHS workers.