Ian
priscilla 1Most Memorable Moments At Wimbledon
July 21st 2010 04:05
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon, is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is generally considered the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in the London suburb of Wimbledon since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and the only one still played on the game's original surface, grass, which gave the game of lawn tennis its name.
This last century the Wimbledon Championships have seen many epic encounters and emotional moments that will live on in tennis folklore.
SportsIllustrated takes a look at 10 of the most memorable moments in the history of the tournament. Read the full article here.
"This is the greatest match I've ever seen," said John McEnroe. The match -- the longest men's final in Wimbledon history -- was a 4-hour, 48-minute, twice-rain-delayed, five-set spectacle between the world's two most skilled players at the peak of their abilities. At the conclusion, the second-ranked Nadal achieved his first Wimbledon championship, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7, while preventing the top-ranked Federer from winning his record sixth in a row.
In 1985, 17-year-old Boris Becker, a virtual unknown, exploded onto the scene at Wimbledon, where his powerful serve, endless energy and charisma soon made him a star. By defeating Kevin Curren in the final, Becker became the youngest male Grand Slam singles champion (17 years, 7 months).
In a true clash of opposites, the stoic Bjorn Borg and his baseline game butted against the emotional John McEnroe and his net mastery, a rematch of the previous year's U.S. Open won by McEnroe. This epic test of endurance was highlighted by a 22-minute tiebreaker in which McEnroe fended off five match points to claim the fourth set 18-16. Yet Borg persevered to win the deciding fifth set, claiming his fifth straight Wimbledon crown.
Sealing the title on her sixth match point, Margaret Court outlasted Billie Jean King 14-12, 11-9 in a two-hour, 28-minute match. Court would go on to win the Grand Slam that year, making her the second of only three women to accomplish that feat (Maureen Connolly Brinker, Steffi Graf).
American John Isner and France's Nicolas Mahut took part in an epic three-day battle at Wimbledon, with Isner finally prevailing 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68. The first-round match, which was twice suspended because of darkness, lasted 11 hours, five minutes -- with the fifth set taking 8 hours, 11 minutes alone. The unbelievable showdown shattered a number of records; Isner finished with 112 aces, and Mahut had 103, with both totals eclipsing the sport's previous high of 78.
Andy Roddick had his serve broken one time in 77 games during the 2009 final, and one time was all Roger Federer needed to win his record-setting 15th Grand Slam title. In an epic 4-hour-16- minute-affair, Federer won 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6,16-14 to eclipse Pete Sampras on the all-time Slam list.
This last century the Wimbledon Championships have seen many epic encounters and emotional moments that will live on in tennis folklore.
SportsIllustrated takes a look at 10 of the most memorable moments in the history of the tournament. Read the full article here.
The Greatest Match Ever Played - 2008
Becker Becomes a Star - 1985
Borg Defeats McEnroe - 1980
Court Outlasts King - 1970
Longest Match Ever Played - 2010
American John Isner and France's Nicolas Mahut took part in an epic three-day battle at Wimbledon, with Isner finally prevailing 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68. The first-round match, which was twice suspended because of darkness, lasted 11 hours, five minutes -- with the fifth set taking 8 hours, 11 minutes alone. The unbelievable showdown shattered a number of records; Isner finished with 112 aces, and Mahut had 103, with both totals eclipsing the sport's previous high of 78.
Federer Defeats Roddick - 2009
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