By Boris Becker
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The three-time champion on his favourite moments from the All England Club - including what is regarded as the tournament's finest final, plus the transformation of the one the sport's greatest stars
1976 ENTER THE TENNIS ROCK STAR
Bjrn Borg's physical conditioning and his nerve on court earned him the nickname Ice Borg, but what made him so special was that he was more than just a tennis player
In 1976, I watched on TV as the 20-year-old Swede Bjrn Borg toppled Ilie Nastase, ten years his senior, in straight sets. Borg went on to win the Wimbledon men’s singles title a record-setting five times in a row. His physical conditioning and his nerve on court earned him the nickname Ice Borg, but what made him so special was that he was more than just a tennis player. With his rock-star looks and long blond hair, he was the first real tennis superstar.
1980 GREATEST EVER MATCH
The clash between Bjrn Borg and John McEnroe was a nail-biting five-set match with an epic 34-point tie-break in the fourth set, with Borg winning it 8-6 in the final set
The clash between Borg and John McEnroe is regarded as the best Wimbledon final ever. I was only 13 at the time, living in West Germany, and I remember it vividly. It was a nail-biting five-set match with an epic 34-point tie-break in the fourth set, with Borg winning it 8-6 in the final set. There’s only been a roof over Wimbledon Centre Court for a few years now, so previously whenever there was a rain delay TV would show this epic final to keep viewers hooked.
1981 YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!
John McEnroe was a brash New Yorker who didn't care about history, rules or behaviour on court, and off-court too. Has he mellowed now? Absolutely not!
McEnroe first uttered his famous catchphrase at Wimbledon and it stuck with him for the rest of his career. He was a brash New Yorker who didn’t care about history, rules or behaviour on court, and off-court too. Has he mellowed now? Absolutely not! He’s still as fierce and crazy, and I say that as one of his good friends! Whenever we play together, I can’t stop laughing at him because he still wants to beat me!
1982 THE BAD-BOY FINAL
Going into the (1982) final, John McEnroe was the favourite to win but Jimmy Connors fended him off in five long sets. It was a great tennis story
This was the all-American bad boy (Jimmy Connors) versus the new young bad boy (McEnroe). The original bad boy was Ilie Nastase and Jimmy was his best friend, so his bad behaviour rubbed off on him. Going into the final, McEnroe was the favourite to win but Connors fended him off in five long sets. It was a great tennis story because here was a guy playing against McEnroe, nine years his junior and being able to take him down a peg.
When I lifted the trophy (in 1985, pictured left) I realised my life had changed forever. In the final (in 1986), I faced the world number one... I thought this was a fitting match to show I belonged in the elite
1985 BOYHOOD DREAMS FULFILLED
I was 17 when I first won Wimbledon, making history as the youngest winner ever. Did I expect to win? Absolutely not, even though I came into the tournament having won at Queen’s as an unseeded player. When you are only 17, you don’t think that far ahead. I was just happy that in an early match I was put on Centre Court, something I’d dreamt about as a boy watching Borg. When I lifted the trophy I realised my life had changed forever.
1986 PROVING THE DOUBTERS WRONG
When you take everyone by surprise they say it was a fluke, so after winning Wimbledon in 1985 I faced a lot of negative comments. A year later, I wasn’t playing anywhere near the level of tennis I was when I first won. People were expecting me to fail. In the final, I faced the world number one, Ivan Lendl, who looked and acted like a James Bond baddie. I thought this was a fitting match to show I belonged in the elite.
1993 THE BEST PLAYER I EVER FACED
Fans and the media complained that Pete Sampras was too boring and he'd taken the fun out of the game, but of all the opponents I faced, I consider him the best
The Nineties were dominated by nice guy Pete Sampras. He heralded a new era in which players were generally better behaved. They didn’t bring their personality on to the court because they had too much to lose now from sponsorship deals. Fans and the media complained that Sampras was too boring and he’d taken the fun out of the game, but of all the opponents I faced, I consider him the best.
1999 AGASSI THROWS AWAY HIS WIG
The older Andre Agassi got, the shorter his hair became... I remember seeing him after a big match in 1999 where he came and threw his wig in a corner and defiantly shaved his remaining hair off
Andre Agassi was a loose cannon in his younger years; a lot of flash but little substance. But the older he got, the shorter his hair became. I remember seeing him after a big match in 1999 where he came and threw his wig in a corner and defiantly shaved his remaining hair off. That for me was the transformation of Andre Agassi. He became a much better, more focused player.
2001 ALL HAIL THE NEW KING
When the 19-year-old Roger Federer turfed out Pete Sampras in the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2001, it really signified a changing of the guard
When the 19-year-old Federer turfed out Sampras in the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2001, it really signified a changing of the guard. The Swiss won Wimbledon five times in a row from 2003 and a record-setting 16 Grand Slam titles. He was ranked No 1 for a mind-blowing 237 weeks in a row from 2004 to 2008. It’s only been in the past few years with the arrival of Nadal and Djokovic that he’s been tested.
2010 WILL THEY EVER GIVE UP?
The first-round match between John Isner (left) and Nicolas Mahut (right) was the longest tennis match ever. Their 183-game final set, which started on the Monday and finished on Thursday, was excruciating to watch
If you hadn’t heard of John Isner and Nicolas Mahut before their first-round match in 2010, then you certainly would have by the end of the longest tennis match ever. Their 183-game final set, which started on the Monday and finished on Thursday, was excruciating to watch. Isner was eventually victorious, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 70-68 after 11 hours and five minutes. The match was the making of him and I wouldn’t be surprised if wins a Grand Slam.
Boris Becker picture byline: Getty Images for IWC Schaffhause
Boris supports Barclays Ball Kids, to find ball kids for the Barclays ATP World Tour at the O2. barclaysballkids.com
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Wimbledon 2012: Tim Henman tips Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic - The Guardian
Hey Tim; how's everything going?
TH: Yeah it's good, been a pretty full on day.
Of course, you've been giving a group of school children an introduction to tennis on behalf of the Wimbledon Championships partner HSBC. What advice have you been giving to any of them looking to get involved and follow in your footsteps?
TH: I think one of the most important aspects is enjoying it. With HSBC it is really about working with the community and we have got two primary schools down here and a lot of them have never played tennis before, so to give them the opportunity out on the court and hitting balls is one thing but as I know with my three kids, if they don't enjoy what they're doing, then they're not going to do it again. Which is why the big emphasis is on having fun and hopefully they will continue in the future.
Well, I'm sure they've all had a great day as well. What is your opinion on the standard of British tennis? Is there anything you would like to see changed?
TH: It is definitely improving. For me it is about investment in grassroots, if you want to produce top-class players, then you have got to be going into the schools and you have got to get the kids who are in first-level rugby, first-level cricket and get them playing tennis. I mean it will be the same group but they're the ones with the athletic ability and if you get them playing tennis, then you have got the raw materials to work with. If you miss out and they go to the other sports, then you haven't got the raw materials. That's the big challenge and that doesn't come cheaply but with the money the LTA has I would be targeting the grassroots.
Hopefully, we will see some more investment over the next few years then.
TH: It's definitely happening but I would prioritise it and make sure a massive amount goes into that area.
It's an incredible summer of sport with Euro 2012 underway and the Olympics coming up, sandwiching Wimbledon. What are you most looking forward to at SW19 this year?
Again it's all about watching the battle among the men's top four continuing. Obviously [Novak] Djokovic, [Rafael] Nadal and [Roger] Federer have been so dominant so it will be interesting to see if [Andy] Murray can get in on that group. It's always an exciting time but with the Euros at the same time its going to be amazing.
Do you think Murray's buildup to the tournament could hamper him? He lost his first game at Queen's and has been struggling with injury…
TH: I have seen him quoted as saying that he is looking to put the back issue behind him and he feels it is better and grass will help him with that. It's softer under foot and the ball doesn't bounce as high and the rallies aren't as long, so that's definitely in his favour. The reality is though that playing against Djokovic, Federer and Nadal when you're 100% fit is as tough as it gets, so if he's not at 100%, it makes it virtually impossible.
Speaking of Nadal, do you think he can regain the title after his impressive French Open victory?
TH: I would say Djokovic is probably my favourite. Four grand slam finals in a row and he has won three of them. But you know its "apples and oranges" with those three. I mean just because Federer hasn't won for a couple of years doesn't mean he should be ignored. I think he will be keen and with his record on grass courts and success at Wimbledon he will fancy his chances.
So what about the women's tournament? What do you think of Maria Sharapova's chances after she regained the world No1 ranking having won the French Open?
TH: Yeah that's a great story. I mean coming on to the scene so young, winning Wimbledon when she was 17 and then the last couple of years she has had shoulder trouble and she was definitely having her struggles and for her to complete her career grand slam is an unbelievable achievement. You know grass is probably an even better surface for her but I actually think Serena Williams is going to be wanting to put the record straight.
Serena would equal her sister Venus's five titles if she won, which would be some record. As a four-times semi-finalist at Wimbledon, what is your fondest memory?
TH: It's tough to narrow it down to one. My first match on Centre Court where I played [Yevgeny] Kafelnikov in 1996 was pretty special. He was the French Open champion and I think he was No3 in the world and I saved two match points and won 7-5, 7-6. I was lucky to play on the middle Sunday which has only happened three times at Wimbledon and the atmosphere was something I had never experienced before. Also getting through to the semis, beating Federer at Wimbledon... I have a few memories.
Finally, as a scratch golfer, will you be keeping an eye on the US Open this weekend?
TH: Yes definitely, I was watching some of the previews going on and checking out the pairings, you know [Rory] McIlroy, [Lee] Westwood and [Luke] Donald and the course just looks brutal.
It does, I saw some footage of it earlier but it should make for an interesting tournament. Do you think McIlroy will retain his title?
TH: I don't think he is favourite but he is such a great player despite having a bit of bad form the last couple of months. I think it might be Westwood's time.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Tim Henman: Andy Murray shouldn't be concerned by early Queen's exit - Daily Mirror
Tim Henman believes Andy Murray must not be worried about his shock early exit from Queen’s because it will have no impact upon his performance at Wimbledon.
Defending champion Murray went out in the second round last week to unfancied Nicolas Mahut in a match the Frenchman described as “possibly” the best victory of his career.
World No.4 Murray will play in The Boodles exhibition event at Wimbledon this Thursday and Friday, but his exit from Queen’s dramatically cut short his grass-court preparation before Wimbledon starts on Monday week.
The British No.1 had admitted having high hopes of successfully defending his Aegon Championships crown and that it would inspire him to a first career Grand Slam.
However, former British No.1 Henman – a crowd favourite in his time at Wimbledon – said Murray must not be concerned.
He also cited his own example as one that proves Wimbledon cannot ultimately be prepared for. Henman (below), who regularly reached the semi-final at the All England Club, said: “You’d like to do well, and get some matches under your belt but in actual fact I don’t think it has any bearing.
“I made the final of Queen’s three times and I lost in the first round a couple of times. It had no real bearing on my performance at Wimbledon.
“That event is so special, irrespective of if Andy has had matches or not, he’s still going to perform well there.”
Murray won Queen’s last year before losing to World No.2 Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals at Wimbledon.
***
David Nalbandian of Argentina defeated Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-4 yesterday to reach today’s Queen’s Club final where he will face Marin Cilic of Croatia.
Sixth-seeded Cilic had earlier beaten American Sam Querrey 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Windy conditions dominated both semi-finals.
“It’s tough to play out there and it’s just a few points here and there,” said Querrey, who won the title in 2010.
“But I’m heading to Eastbourne next week and looking forward to it.”
Nalbandian will be looking for his first title since winning in Washington nearly two years ago.
“The conditions were very, very tough,” said the Argentine. “So windy, it was tough to play and there were a lot of mistakes, but I’m happy to win.”
Source: www.mirror.co.uk
Nadal eyes Wimbledon despite Halle setback - Times of India
World number two Nadal slumped to a 6-3, 6-4 defeat to Philipp Kohlschreiber, his first loss to the German in nine meetings as his build-up to Wimbledon was cut short.
He insisted he was right to play the tournament for the first time since 2005 even though world number one Novak Djokovic decided to rest and take the week off.
"I have played the week after the French Open for eight years with the exception of 2009 when I was injured," said Nadal, who has traditionally played the Queen's Club grasscourt tournament in his Wimbledon preparation.
"It has always worked out fantastically for me. Even if I lost, the two matches and the practice I have had here have helped me a lot. I hope to be back again next year.
"On the grass courts, if you are not full of confidence, then all matches are a lottery, particularly over three sets."
Nadal said he would not make excuses for his defeat and was heading home to Spain to relax before launching his assault on the Wimbledon title which he won in 2008 and 2010.
"This is not the time to look for excuses or to ask the reasons why I lost. My movement wasn't great and I need a little more time to make adjustments to my shots," said Nadal.
"I will rest at home. I can't practise on grass there but it's better not to practise for a few days. It's time to rest with my family, friends, to relax.
"I've played almost every match possible since Indian Wells. When I'm ready to come back, I'll go to Wimbledon."
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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