Entering the 1988 Olympics, the man dubbed "the Big Cat" had reached only one major final, losing to Ivan Lendl at the 1986 U.S. With his deceptive speed, deft touch and variety of pace and angles, Miloslav Mecir was among the more distinct players of his day, if not one of the more accomplished. Graf then defeated Argentina's Gabriela Sabatini in the Olympic final to make it a so-called "Golden Slam" that remains unduplicated to this day. Open (just prior to the Olympics), the German star arrived in Seoul having become the third woman to complete a single-season Grand Slam (Maureen Connolly and Margaret Court are the others). With victories at the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. And for Steffi Graf, the timing was perfect. Seoul, 1988: Tennis was put back on the Olympic program as a medal event for the first time since 1924. ![]() A decade later in Paris, Williams suffered an ankle injury, but his mixed doubles partner, Hazel Wightman, told him to stay at the net and she'd "cover everything else." The plan worked, as Williams and Wightman defeated compatriots Marion Jessup and Vincent Richards, 6-2, 6-3 to capture the gold. Williams recovered so quickly, he was able to win the mixed doubles title at that year's U.S. When doctors suggested amputating both of his frozen-stiff legs, the 21-year-old said no, a decision that proved wise. After seeing his father perish, Williams survived six hours of clinging to a lifeboat in frigid waters. ![]() In 1912, Dick Williams was aboard the Titanic when it crashed en route to New York. championships, Wills was known as "Little Miss Poker Face" for her serious demeanor. The winner of eight Wimbledons and seven U.S. In Paris, Wills defeated France's Julie Vlasto, 6-2, 6-2, in the women's singles final. ![]() Paris, 1924: With defending champion Suzanne Lenglen opting not to play at the 1924 Olympics, 18-year-old American Helen Wills took another step toward succeeding the Frenchwoman as the queen of tennis. Lenglen, who set fashion trends and played with distinct flair, was among the world's first international sports celebrities. In Antwerp, the 21-year-old daughter - and tennis pupil - of a Paris bus company owner cruised to gold in singles and mixed doubles, adding to a list of accomplishments that ultimately included 21 Grand Slam titles (eight singles, eight doubles, five mixed). ![]() Also in Paris, they teamed to win the men's doubles title and Reggie prevailed in mixed doubles with women's singles champion Charlotte Cooper.Īntwerp, 1920: On the heels of becoming the first player to win three Wimbledon titles in the same year, France's Suzanne Lenglen turned her budding talent to the Olympics. When slated to face his younger brother in the semifinals, Reggie stepped aside, clearing the way for Hugh to win the event, and the 1500-Franc prize. Cooper, who also won five Wimbledon singles titles between 18, lived to be 96 years old.Ī week after teaming to win the fourth of their still-record eight Wimbledon doubles titles, Reggie and Hugh Doherty - both born in the London suburb after which the prestigious tournament is named - headed to Paris for the Olympics. Paris, 1900: Charlotte "Chattie" Cooper, 29, of Middlesex, England, became the first member of the fairer sex to be crowned champion at the modern Olympics.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |