The Latest: Duchess of Cambridge praises ball boys and girls

Britain's Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, speaks with ex tennis players Kim Clijsters, second from right, and Martina Navratilova, right, on day one of the Wimbledon tennis Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, London, Monday, July 3, 2017. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP) Britain's Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, speaks with ex tennis players Kim Clijsters, second from right, and Martina Navratilova, right, on day one of the Wimbledon tennis Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, London, Monday, July 3, 2017. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP)

By Associated Press July 3, 2017 2 min read

LONDON (AP) – The Latest from Wimbledon (all times local):

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12:40 p.m.

The Duchess of Cambridge has offered praise to Wimbledon’s ball boys and ball girls, saying their professionalism makes a huge difference to the players.

The former Kate Middleton made her first visit to the tournament in her capacity as patron of the All England Club. The duchess told two ball girls and a boy that their work “makes the game happen.”