June 28 (Reuters) - Wimbledon spectators on Monday paid tribute to Sarah Gilbert, the Oxford University professor who co-designed the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, giving her a standing ovation on Centre Court before play began in the annual tennis tournament. The crowd also applauded the efforts of organisations that have contributed to Britain"s fight against COVID-19. But the loudest cheers were reserved for Gilbert as well as the staff of the National Health Service (NHS). Gilbert, who was seated in the royal box, was awarded a damehood in the Queen"s birthday honours earlier this month. The Grand Slam event also plans to invite other individuals who have played a big part in combating the coronavirus to watch the action at this year"s Championships seated in the royal box. Also in the royal box was Hannah Ingram-Moore, the daughter of late Captain Tom Moore, who struck a chord with locked-down Britain by walking around his garden with the help of a frame to raise millions of pounds for NHS workers.