SM
Monday, April 29
Upcoming predictions and previews

On this day: Boris Becker makes Wimbledon history

:Headline: On this day: Boris Becker makes Wimbledon history: ID:92393: from db_amp
Twenty-eight years ago today, Germany's Boris Becker made history by winning Wimbledon.

Some accounts of the 1985 men's Wimbledon final, which took place 28 years ago today, would have you believe that at the time Boris Becker was a virtual unknown.

However, the German was ranked 20th in the world and had won at the Queen's Club in the build-up to the Grand Slam at SW19.

Having said that, he was just 17 years old and it was a competition that included names like John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Pat Cash, Ivan Lendl, Stefan Edberg and Kevin Curren. Surely he had no chance of going all the way?

With each passing round, though, Becker grew in confidence. His powerful serve and willingness to throw himself (literally) across the court made him a real favourite with the crowd.

A four-set win over Sweden's Anders Jarryd in the semis elevated Becker into the final, where he would face eighth seed Curren.

Although he had never won a Slam before, Curren was seen to be at the peak of his powers. He was 27 and having defeated both McEnroe and Connors earlier in the tournament, many felt that it was the American's time.

The first set went to Becker 6-3, though, before tie-breaks were traded to leave the teenager 2-1 up. Curren dropped serve early in the fourth set and despite gaining two break points later on, he was unable to convert them and Becker went on to become the youngest ever men's champion at Wimbledon.

What's more, he was also the first unseeded player to triumph in London, as well as it being a maiden success for a German competitor.

"This is going to change tennis in Germany," he said after the match. "I am the first Wimbledon winner and now they have an idol."

He went on to win two more times at Wimbledon, as well as adding the Aussie Open and the US Open to his collection. The French Open would always elude him, though, as he failed to get beyond the semi-final stage.

amp_article__92393 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2013-07-07 17:08:22:
html db last update - 2021-03-10 16:51:59 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .