Wimbledon Finals
Last updated: 09:50 Friday, July 22, 2011
Wimbledon Tennis Final
We take a look back at the greatest Wimbledon finals in recent history – do you agree with our selections? If you want all the best odds on every market for this year’s tournament, visit our dedicated Wimbledon betting centre…
Men’s Wimbledon Final
There have been some truly epic Wimbledon finals in recent years. We pick our top 5 from the Open era…
1. Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer, 2008 (Nadal won 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 6-7 (8-10), 9-7)
Probably not just the best ever Men’s Wimbledon final, but the best match in the history of tennis. At the time it was the longest match in Wimbledon history, taking over 7 hours to complete, with 5-time defending champion Federer coming up against the greatest clay court player of all-time in Nadal. The Spaniard eventually prevailed in the final set, but it took one of the best performances ever seen in SW19 to dethrone Federer.
2. Bjorn Borg v John McEnroe, 1980 (Borg won 1–6, 7–5, 6–3, 6–7 (16–18), 8–6)
One of the greatest rivalries in tennis history was encapsulated on this one glorious day in south-west London. Borg, the 4-time champion, was tested to the hilt by McEnroe and the American managed to save 5 match points in an incredible 4th set. The Swede managed to secure victory in the 5th though McEnroe would return and win the title himself in 1981.
3. Goran Ivanisevic v Pat Rafter, 2001 (Ivanisevic won 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 2–6, 9–7)
This Wimbledon men’s final had extended into Monday when wildcard Ivanisevic eventually prevailed in one of the most unlikely victories of all-time. The Croat’s career had seemingly been crippled by injury but his ferocious serve saw him past all-comers, including crowd favourite Tim Henman in an amazing semi-final. It was Rafter’s second consecutive final but again he came up just short as he succumbed to one of the biggest shocks in Wimbledon betting history.
4. Roger Federer v Andy Roddick, 2009 (Federer won 5–7, 7–6 (8–6), 7–6 (7–5), 3–6, 16–14)
Federer surpassed Pete Sampras’s record of Grand Slam titles, though Roddick put up an incredible fight. The American had returned to his blistering best in the 2009 tournament, having already seen off Andy Murray in the semi-finals, though not many people gave him a hope against Federer in their Wimbledon predictions. But one of the longest 5th sets in the history of the tournament was eventually settled by Federer, leaving Roddick to lament his inability to beat his great rival once again.
5. Stefan Edberg v Boris Becker, 1990 (Edberg won 6–2, 6–2, 3–6, 3–6, 6–4)
This was the 3rd consecutive Wimbledon final played between these great players, with the scores tied at 1-1 ahead of the 1990 renewal. Edberg played exquisitely to race into a 2 set lead but ‘Boom Boom’ Becker responded in style to take it into a decider. The Swede was actually a break down in the 5th but eventually recovered to secure victory. Becker went on to lose in two more men’s Wimbledon finals, in 1991 and 1995.
Wimbledon Ladies Finals
Women’s Wimbledon finals are typically enthralling matches, particularly when two great rivals have met down the years. Here we pick out our top 5…
1. Steffi Graf v Jana Novotna, 1993 (Graf won 7–6 (8–6), 1–6, 6–4)
Quite simply the biggest choke in women’s Wimbledon history. Novotna was one point away from being 5-1 up in the final set, but a complete collapse saw Graf recover and win her 5th Wimbledon title. Don’t feel too bad for the Czech, though – she eventually got her hands on the championship in 1998.
2. Ann Haydon Jones v Billie Jean King, 1969 (Haydon Jones won 3–6, 6–3, 6–2)
Billie Jean King had dominated Wimbledon for years and looked all set for her 4th consecutive title. The American had beaten Haydon Jones in two Grand Slam finals in 1967 and took the first set 6-3, but the patriotic British crowd inspired the underdog to play some sublime tennis to eventually prevail in the most unlikely of circumstances.
3. Martina Navratilova v Chris Evert, 1978 (Navratilova won 2–6, 6–4, 7–5)
Not only was this a great match, it also marked the start of Navratilova’s Wimbledon dominance. She went on to win a further 8 singles titles in SW19, though two-time champion Evert represented formidable opposition. The American took the first set comfortably but Martina won through in 3 sets – and would defeat the same opponent again in the 1979 final.
4. Virginia Wade v Betty Stove, 1977 (Wade won 4–6, 6–3, 6–1)
Of course we had to include the last Brit to win a women’s Wimbledon final! It was the Queen’s silver jubilee and Wimbledon’s centenary so there was huge pressure on Wade to deliver for the nation. And despite a first set wobble, she came through with flying colours to cap a great year for Britain.
5. Venus Williams v Lindsay Davenport, 2005 (Williams won 4–6, 7–6 (7–4), 9–7)
The longest women’s Wimbledon final in history saw 1999 champion Davenport go toe to toe with one of the most powerful players of the modern era. And it was the veteran American who got off to the better start, taking the first set with some stunning groundstrokes. But Venus eventually got the better of her opponent, taking the 2nd set in a thrilling tie-break before a marathon final set ended with her securing her 3rd title.
Related Links
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