Tom Cruise was accused of hogging the spotlight during Ash BartyтАЩs Wimbledon triumph, prompting an Aussie star to take a cheeky dig.
Mel Jones said what plenty were thinking about Tom CruiseтАЩs cameo at Ash BartyтАЩs Wimbledon triumph on the weekend.
The former Australian cricketer was in the crowd for BartyтАЩs final against Karolina Pliskova at the All England Club donning an тАЬAlways Was, Always Will BeтАЭ Indigenous shirt.
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Images of Jones circulated around social media, including footage of Barty pointing at the Fox Cricket commentator as the Queenslander left the venue holding the Rosewater Dish.
Speaking to Fox SportsтАЩ The Back Page on Tuesday evening, an emotional Jones recounted the momentous occasion, in which Barty became the first Australian woman to win a Wimbledon title since mentor Evonne Goolagong Cawley achieved the feat in 1980.
тАЬIt was a magical moment for so many reasons,тАЭ Jones said. тАЬThe largest cheer was when Pliskova won the second set. If the roof was on, it would have been off, because they just wanted to see that contest happen.
тАЬBeing up close and personal to see the skill set of these amazing athletes was something very special.тАЭ
When Jones was shown footage of her anxiously covering her mouth from the stands, she couldnтАЩt resist taking a cheeky dig at Cruise, who had been showboating with the crowd throughout the match.
тАЬI think that was me just covering my mouth saying, тАШTom Cruise, sit down. ItтАЩs not about youтАЩ,тАЭ Jones joked.
The presence of the Hollywood icon, who was joined by Mission Impossible: 7 co-stars Hayley Atwell and Pom Klementieff, didnтАЩt sit well with everyone.
Tennis fans turned their fury on the 59-year-old for hogging the spotlight тАУ 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.
тАЬIтАЩm surprised the official Wimbledon account noticed Ash won cos they seem to be obsessed with Tom Cruise,тАЭ she tweeted.
The Sydney Morning HeraldтАЩs Latika M Burke chimed in: тАЬOMG tom cruise itтАЩs really not about you.тАЭ
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Jones wrote about her Indigenous top on The Guardian: тАЬI love it because it starts a conversation, gets a smile and a nod. ItтАЩs my comfort top when IтАЩm missing home or want to show my identity тАУ not as an Indigenous person, but as a person with a heritage that can relate in some ways to lived experiences.
тАЬYet I had a pang of nervousness about wearing the T-shirt to Centre Court at Wimbledon on womenтАЩs final day, and the response it might evoke.
тАЬBut visibility matters and the T-shirt was going to SW19. What I didnтАЩt realise was just how visible it would be тАУ it turns out my seat was in the direct line of the service camera.тАЭ
