NewsBite

‘Sit down’: Tennis fans filthy as Tom Cruise attempts to upstage Ash Barty

The Hollywood star was in the house for Ash Barty’s Wimbledon triumph and he couldn’t stay out of the spotlight.

Tom Cruise watches women's Wimbledon final

There weren’t any couches to jump on but Tom Cruise still made sure everyone could see him in the crowd at Ash Barty’s Wimbledon final.

Perhaps it was fitting the movie star was on hand for the Aussie’s historic win because it certainly proved Mission Impossible for runner-up Karolina Pliskova.

But the presence of the Hollywood icon, who was joined by Mission Impossible: 7 co-stars Hayley Atwell and Pom Klementieff, didn’t sit well with everyone.

RELATED: Barty’s adorable moment with boyfriend

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Tom Cruise attends Wimbledon Championships Tennis Tournament at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Tom Cruise attends Wimbledon Championships Tennis Tournament at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Tom Cruise and Hayley Atwell attend Wimbledon Championships Tennis Tournament at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Tom Cruise and Hayley Atwell attend Wimbledon Championships Tennis Tournament at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Tennis fans turned their fury on the 59-year-old for hogging the spotlight – and broadcasters and the official Wimbledon social media accounts for pointing it at him.

Cruise appeared to be lapping up the attention as he stood and waved to the crowd and posed for photographs with fans.

Aboriginal activist Professor Megan Davis led the frustration pouring out on social media as Barty was put in the shade.

“I’m surprised the official Wimbledon account noticed Ash won cos they seem to be obsessed with Tom Cruise,” she tweeted.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s Latika M Burke chimed in: “OMG tom cruise it’s really not about you.”

The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph was also bemused. “We definitely need more Tom Cruise crowd shots,” he tweeted.

“Seriously. Sit down,” added another fan on Twitter. “It’s about the 2 amazing players on the court. Crowd should be interested in them.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10:  Tom Cruise watches the Ladies' Singles Final match between Ashleigh Barty of Australia and Karolina Pliskova of The Czech Republic  on Day Twelve of The Championships - Wimbledon 2021 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: Tom Cruise watches the Ladies' Singles Final match between Ashleigh Barty of Australia and Karolina Pliskova of The Czech Republic on Day Twelve of The Championships - Wimbledon 2021 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

In the end all eyes were on Barty as she secured a 6-3 6-7 6-3 win that was a perfect reward for one of the great role models in world sport.

Meeting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after the match, Barty rejected Prince William when he suggested she didn’t look like she was suffering from any nerves at all.

Asked about her standing in the game and the example she is to the younger generation, Barty was all class.

“I’ve just tried to live by my values that my parents instilled in me,” she replied bashfully. “It’s more important to be a good person than it is a good tennis player. I was extremely lucky to have an opportunity to learn how to play tennis. But being a good human being is absolutely my priority every single day.”

Read related topics:Ash Barty

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/sit-down-tennis-fans-filthy-as-tom-cruise-attempts-to-upstage-ash-barty/news-story/7f89ea896ed3da26cacfffa046266b8a