Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff among Wimbledon stars said to be snubbing plush players' restaurant for food served up at media canteen

By INDERDEEP BAINS, CHIEF NEWS CORRESPONDENT Published: 14:32, 10 July 2026 | Updated: 14:33, 10 July 2026 They may have access to a live sushi chef, premium venison and a nutrition bar in the All England Club’s state-of-the-art players’ lounge. But some of Wimbledon’s biggest stars appear to prefer the menu at a much humbler basement staff canteen. In one of the Championships' more surprising food trends, runners for players have been making regular trips to the Media restaurant to collect freshly prepared pasta. The unassuming canteen tucked away under the broadcast centre, is primarily used by journalists and television crews working long hours during the fortnight. Yet despite having access to the Club’s extensive player catering facilities, several high-profile names are understood to have developed a taste for the restaurant’s made-to-order pasta. Tennis great Novak Djokovic and American star Coco Gauff are among those understood to have sent food orders, while two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray was also said to have been a regular customer in previous years. The popular pasta station is run by two experienced chefs, with dishes tailored to dietary requirements and priced between £20 and £22.95 Despite having access to the Club’s extensive players' facilities, several high-profile names are understood to have developed a taste for the media restaurant’s made-to-order pasta Players have access to a live sushi chef, premium venison and a nutrition bar in the All England Club’s state-of-the-art players’ lounge A steady stream of umpires, who appear to have turned their noses up at their own staff café, are also believed to be sending their requests to the food hub. The popular pasta station is run by two experienced chefs, with dishes tailored to dietary requirements and priced between £20 and £22.95. Orders have included brown pasta with vegan mozzarella and vegan meatballs as players stick to carefully managed nutrition plans. However, the growing demand has occasionally caused frustration among reporters working to tight deadlines. Runners collecting food for officials have on occasion attempted to jump the queue ahead of journalists grabbing dinner between press conferences and filing copy. After one runner returned for the second time with yet another long order for the umpires earlier this week, she was firmly told to take her place at the back of the lengthy line. Her flustered protest that she had been instructed by officials to skip the line queue fell on deaf ears.