9 PM || ETV Telugu News | 15th July 2024

Sophie Choudry, who once captivated Telugu audiences with the hit song London Babu from 1: Nenokkadine, is now drawing attention for her sharp take on a different stage — Wimbledon. In a recent Instagram post, Sophie criticized the growing trend of Indian celebrities and influencers attending Wimbledon, seemingly for the sake of social media clout rather than love for the sport.

A genuine tennis enthusiast for over three decades, Sophie expressed her disappointment at seeing the prestigious event being treated like a fashion runway. She reminisced about growing up watching legends like Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal, and now Carlos Alcaraz, even recalling the emotional moment of watching Martina Navratilova’s final Wimbledon appearance.

What irked her is the visible rise of influencers who show up just for the photo ops, with little to no knowledge of the players or the stakes of the match. She remarked that Wimbledon is slowly starting to feel like “another Cannes,” where the focus is more on outfits than on the game itself.

Her post comes as several Bollywood stars like Sonam Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, and Preity Zinta were spotted at this year’s tournament. While some defended their presence, arguing that glamor and sports can coexist, Sophie’s comment sparked a broader conversation on how cultural events risk becoming mere social media backdrops.

For Sophie, Wimbledon isn’t just another event — it’s a sacred ground for sportsmanship and history. She believes that it deserves better than being reduced to a trending post.