Wimbledon 1991 will go down as one of the most unusual championships a tournament of surprises which saw the most unexpected winners and losers.
In a world full of surprises nothing comes as a surprise. Yet there are always certain people and events that never fail to surprise. Such was the case with this year’s Wimbledon Championships where the unexpected called the shots Predictions fell flat the pundits of the game had to cat their own bookies never really made the grade. Except for the rain and the strawberries and cream that are an integral part of this greatest tennis show everything else was turned topsy turvy.
The tournament got off in the midst of controversy. Never before in the history of Wimbledon has the top seed backed out at the last minute and that’s exactly what the ladies No 1 seed Monica Seles did No clear reason was given explaining this breach of discipline and the air of secrecy surrounding this decision of the world No 1 who had just won the French Open crown aroused a lot of speculation. Some tabloid reports went as far as suggesting that Miss Seles may be pregnant.
But more reasonable people feared that Monica had withdrawn because she could not cope with the pressure of playing another grand slam tournament so soon. ‘The pro circuit was taking a toll on this 17-yr-old Yugoslav who though was regarded as mentally the most tough player among her temporaries pee absence at Wimbledon besides robbing the ladies event of keener competition also confirmed the views of those who felt that this teenage boom in tennis would only end up harming the teenagers. Like her predecessors Tracy Austin Andrea’s Jaeger Monica Seles was also on the verge of burning out if one champion validated this point Steffi Graf proved otherwise. Winning a grand slam after a drought of 18 months Steffi showed the world what stuff champions are made of. Overcoming a year of injuries family problems and loads of Press reports lamenting the waning of the German magic she won the title for the third time and that too in style.
In the final that lasted a record two hours and nine minutes and which Gabricla Sabatini had no business to lose Steffi Graf won 6-4 3-6 8-6. In the third set she broke Gabriela’s service twice and at both times the Argentine was serving for the championship This victory displayed Steffi’s ability to peak at the right time and that’s what separates brilliance from mediocrity success from failure and as someone remarked the Third World from the First World.
The German cheer did not end here and we saw a repeat of 1989 with yet another German double. In fact it was a German hat-trick this time with a German girl winning the junior crown as well. Michael Stich the unknown commodity at Wimbledon beat compatriot Boris Becker with a powerful serve and volley game that his opponent just couldn’t match At the start of the tournament Edberg had said of Stich a good outside chance for the title and the bookies were giving a rate of 66-1 for him. The only one who thought he could do well was Stich himself After beating Jim Courier in the round of 16 he remarked Even before the start of the tournament I expected that with my serve I was going to play the quarter-finals. But probably winning the title was a little way beyond his imagination too.
While Stich was being heralded as the tennis God his senior partner was beset with self-doubt. Stich said after their match Becker was out of his mind a bit. A similar comment was made by Becker after he lost to Agassi in the French Open semi-final. He said: I was not right in the head today. At 23 Becker has already started having concentration problems and lacks the inner hype that needs to be built up for every big match. He seemed not to be playing his opponent but himself. And while the smile returned on Steffi Graf’s face after Wimbledon Becker was only pushed further into the realms of his own mental fatigue. Another incomprehensible happening at Wimbledon was the defeat of the defending champion and winner of the Queen’s Club’s Tournament Stefan Edberg. He reached the semi-finals without losing a set playing impeccable tennis on the way. But here he found his destroyer Michael Stich whom he had only given an outside chance of winning Wimbledon. He lost in four sets but the incredible thing was that he never lost his serve The scoreboard read at the end of the match 4-6 7-6 7-6 7-6.
The proverb old is gold was also not much respected this year at Wimbledon. Martina Navratilova nine times champion and in quest for her 10th title to break the record of Helen Wells Moody was unceremoniously beaten by American teenage sensation Jennifer Capriati Martina has never failed to reach the final here since 1982 and Jennifer all of just 15 years was the youngest semi-finalist ever at Wimbledon. Arguably the greatest tennis player of all time Martina lost in the quarters one gets the impression that this may well be the last we shall see of her at that very Center Court she has dominated for almost a decade.
Another annual crusader Ivan Lendl was defeated in the fourth round by American David Wheaton thus putting paid yet again on his aspirations for that exclusive trophy.
The former world No 1 who has been a semi-finalist seven times and a finalist twice before here will have to be content with the title of an ‘also tried’ at Wimbledon.
The American brigade out here had the names of US Open Champion Pete Sampras French Open champion Jim Courier Michael Chang David Wheaton and Andre Agassi who surprised everyone not only by reaching the quarterfinals but also by appearing in an all-white outfit. A lot of American dreams rest on their shoulders and they are all prepared to take over the responsibility from the ageing shoulders of Connors and McEnroe. With Wheaton reaching the semi-finals Agassi and Courier making it to the quarters and not to forget the American darling Jennifer reaching the semis the Yankees are indeed emerging as a formidable force to reckon with if things were fast changing on court off court activities were also not far behind. The crowds for one were no longer the placid gentlemen and ladies who clap only when they should not instead they seemed to be enthused with a new vigor. Cheenng their favorites and singing soccer songs they were more like the Wembley spectators!
But those who are not too comfortable with the idea of change can rest assured because some’ things never change. John McEnroe displayed his temperament or the lack of it in his clash against Edberg and was fined $10000. No surprise this.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 16, 1991
