As we approach the 2014 Wimbledon Championship many sports fans have their eyes fixed on the football World Cup in Brazil but here is a collection of the most memorable matches from The All England Club to whet the appetite.
Laver-Ashe: 1969 semi-final
Rod Laver was two matches away from defending his 1968 Wimbledon title when a thunderstorm loomed over the All-England club for his semi-final match against Arthur Ashe. Laver had beaten Ashe at the same stage the previous year and, despite terrible weather conditions, managed to fend off his American opponent to seal a place in the final. The Aussie overcame a swamp-like court with chewed up base lines to defeat a revenge-seeking Ashe 2-6, 6-2, 9-7, 6-0.
Wade-Stove: 1977 Final
A pageant of British patriotism, Virginia Wade’s victory in the 1977 final wasn’t straight-forward and the nation willed her on as an incredible comeback unveiled before their eyes. The 100th anniversary of Wimbledon and the 25th anniversary of the Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, the crowd were jubilant and desperate for a fitting triumph. After losing the first set, Wade recovered to win the next two sets 6-3 6-1 and was presented with the trophy by her majesty as the crowd sang ‘for she’s a jolly good fellow.’
Borg-McEnroe: 1980 Final
An electrifying match between one of the game’s most consistent players, a calm and cool-headed Bjorn Borg, and the red-hot American fury, John McEnroe. A cat-and-mouse final began with a convincing set for McEnroe, as he overpowered his Swedish opponent 6-1, but when Borg found his feet the match flipped on its head. McEnroe wasn’t finished though and won a tense fourth set tie-break to force a decider. The players were neck-and-neck in a thrilling final set which eventually ended 8-6 in favour of the Swede, who was crowned champion for the fifth year running. McEnroe went on to win the title three times in the following four years.
Becker-Curren: 1985 Final
In his first appearance at Wimbledon, Boris Becker shocked the world by becoming the tournament’s youngest champion. At the tender age of 17, Becker defeated Kevin Curren in the final to carve a path of success for talented youngsters of the future. Curren, ten years Becker’s senior, put up a strong resistance and levelled the match at one set each but the German teen’s quick wits and incredible reflexes prevailed, winning 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4. It is still considered one of the most remarkable achievements in tennis and Becker remains the youngest player to lift the coveted trophy.
Federer-Sampras: 2001 Fourth Round
The only Wimbledon meeting between these two greats signalled the end of the ‘Sampras Era’ and the beginning of the ‘Federer Era’ and produced a five-set thriller in the fourth round of the 2001 championship. Sampras, hunting for a fifth successive Wimbledon title, levelled the match twice but lost to the rising Swiss star in the final set, ending a 31-match win streak at The All England club. Federer was only a teenager but had the composure and skill of a soon-to-be champion; he would have to wait two more years for his first crown. Sampras announced that he would ‘be back’ but was never crowned Wimbledon champion again.
Ivanisevic-Rafter: 2001 Final
This one made the Top Ten for one reason alone: Goran Ivanisevic, recovering from a recurring shoulder injury, had plummeted to 125 in the world rankings. Every point was followed by deafening roars from the Croatian and Australian fans and the final set was impossible to call as both players desperately tried to clinch their first Wimbledon crown. In the final game, Ivanisevic clutched his shoulder in discomfort and a succession of double-faults made for an agonising conclusion but eventually Pat Rafter made the error, firing a forehand into the net. A nerve-shredded Ivanisevic broke down in tears as he clinched the match with a fourth championship point.
Williams-Davenport: 2005 Final
After the longest women’s final in Wimbledon history, Venus Williams regained the title she had won in 2000 and 2001. Despite her previous success at the tournament and an impressive victory against Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals, many considered world number one Lyndsay Davenport a clear favourite. Davenport won the first set 6-4 and served for the match in the second at 6-5 but Williams clung on and took momentum from the tense tie-break to produce her best tennis in a stomach-churning decider. Williams double-faulted on her first match point but made no mistake with her second opportunity, sealing her third victory at the All England club.
Nadal-Federer: 2008 Final
One of the greatest matches in tennis history, between the world number one and two in 2008, began slowly with a rain-delay but ended in glorious victory for Rafael Nadal as darkness fell over Centre Court. Championship point, illuminated by flashing cameras in the dark night, largely encapsulated the match as the Spaniard forced an error from the experienced Swiss, who forehanded the ball into the net. Nadal, having denied Federer of a sixth consecutive title in a relentless final set, still had the energy to climb the stands to his family and coaching staff – an action which has seemingly become an obligatory tradition for Wimbledon champions.
Isner-Mahut: 2010 First Round
After 11 hours and five minutes of play which spanned over three days, John Isner finally broke Nicolas Mahut’s serve to win the longest tennis match ever (and it was all for a place in the second round!). Whilst Mahut let out a sigh of exhaustion and disappointment, the 6ft 9in American threw his racquet into the air and collapsed on the court in disbelief. Both players deserved a place in the next round after a gruelling battle of endurance which produced the most incredible display of stamina and concentration. Whenever these two players meet in tournament play, supporters are a little apprehensive about buying tickets.
Murray-Djokovic: 2013 Final
Andy Murray’s straight-set victory over world number one Novak Djokovic must have looked relatively comfortable for those reviewing the scorecard after the game but, for those glued to their television sets, it was an agonising climax. Willed on by the nation, Murray ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a men’s singles champion at Wimbledon in style but not before a dramatic final game which saw the Serb save three match points from 0-40 down. Djokovic, the defending champion, delayed celebrations on centre court with admirable resilience but his attempt to rescue the match was denied by Murray who sealed his place in history with a fine backhand. In 2012, the disappointment of losing to Djokovic was overwhelming for a tearful Murray but a year on it was the elation and relief which proved too much for the British number one, who fell to his knees as the crowd stood and applauded his historic achievement. The euphoria was so overpowering that Murray almost forgot to celebrate with his mother.
By Sam Fletcher
