Wimbledon’s Magic Moments – Part 3

MOMENT 19 In 1977, her Silver Jubilee year, Queen Elizabeth 11 presented Virginia Wade with the Ladies Single’s trophy, to date [2012], she is the last Brit to have won a singles title at Wimbledon. Wade at 31 was considered to be past her peak and there were many younger, exciting new talents, such as Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert and fellow Brit Sue Barker.

MOMENT 20 Billie Jean King notched up her 20th Championship title in 1979 winning the Women’s Doubles with Martina Navratilova, it made her the most prolific ever Wimbledon winner. King’s tally was made up of six single’s titles, ten doubles titles and four mixed doubles titles.

MOMENT 21 A bronze statue of Fred Perry was erected in 1984 to commemorate his first Single’s Championship, in typical playing stance and wearing his now world famous brand polo shirt, it stands outside the Debenture Holders entrance to Centre Court.

MOMENT 22 The 1985 Championships were dogged by atrocious weather, nothing new for Wimbledon but particularly dramatic, an admin building attached to Centre Court was hit by lightning causing chunks of masonry to fall, narrowly missing the spectators below. Tournament referee Alan Mills also recalled seeing a reporter swimming in a flooded stairwell at Centre Court!.

MOMENT 23 Martina Navratilova won her ninth Singles Title in 1988 playing countrywoman Zina Garrison. She had won six consecutive championships between 1982/87 but then had to wait to better the previous record of eight titles set by Helen Wills Moody.

MOMENT 24 In 1991 Wimbledon suffered one of the wettest weeks in it’s long history of wet weeks. By Thursday of the first week just 52 of over 200 matches were completed and it was decided to play on the middle Sunday, traditionally a day off. The public were able to take advantage of prime, unreserved, Centre Court tickets at 10 pounds per head and ground passes for 5 pounds. The delighted spectators were in party mood and greeted the players with an enthusiasm usually reserved for football matches. Little known players in early round matches, were shocked to be greeted by packed courts, the crowds cheered every stroke and a great time was had by all!.

MOMENT 25 1996 and another rainy Wimbledon but this year help is on hand from a great fan of tennis – Sir Cliff Richard. With long delays in play due to rain, Sir Cliff gave an impromptu concert on Centre Court, complete with backing singers!. The crowd were delighted to be entertained with ‘Summer Holiday’, ‘Living Doll’ and many more of the ‘Prince of Pop’s’ hits, the excitement mounted when his backing group was seen to be made up of a number of well known players, including Virginia Wade, Martina Navratilova and Pam Schriver!

MOMENT 26 Martina Hingis aged 16, became the youngest player since 1887 to win the Single’s title in 1997. The young Swiss, beat the experienced Jana Novotna 2-6 6-3 6-3 in an all out attack, after having lost the French Open final a month earlier.

MOMENT 27 In 2000 Pete Sampras set a record of 13 Grand Slam Single’s wins, he battled with a leg injury to beat Pat Rafter for his 7th Wimbledon title. Two years later he won the U.S. Open to make a final tally of 14 Grand Slam wins before retiring.

MOMENT 28 Wimbledon hit the big screen in a romantic comedy starring Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany. The actors were coached by 1987 Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash, it also featured Chris Evert and John McEnroe. The film tells the story of a player who gains a ‘wildcard’ to the Championships and wins.

MOMENT 29 After years of frustration with the British weather, the new closing roof at Centre Court was unveiled in 2009. It had been nine years in the planning and three years in construction, it took eight minutes to close but ensured play could continue despite the rain.

MOMENT 30 The longest tennis match ever, took place on No 18 court between Frenchman Nicolas Mahut and American John Isner, in 2010. The match lasted for 11 hours and 5 minutes and ran over 3 days, it involved a total of 183 games and produced a total of 215 aces. It created a sensation in the press and with the spectators, this resulted in droves of people deserting Centre Court, in favour of the marathon on Court 18.