And Krajicek - the only player to beat the great Sampras at Wimbledon between 19 - has a few counter intuitive methods to suggest as he recalls the secrets of his remarkable 1996 run. ![]() It was incredible." Krajicek's knowledge of what it takes to succeed at the All England Club persuaded Wawrinka, a two-time Grand Slam champion who has never gone beyond the Wimbledon quarter-finals, to pick the brains of the Dutchman. "Wow, I feel really old if I think about that. So to guys who just started now at Wimbledon I must be ancient," Krajicek said. That felt like an unbelievably long time ago. "My first Wimbledon was only 11 years after (Bjorn) Borg won his last Wimbledon. Krajicek has been retired for 13 years but the intervening period hasn't dulled his love affair with Wimbledon, so it is fitting his new partnership with Wawrinka was arranged just in time for the latest edition of the grass-court Grand Slam. Two decades after becoming one of Wimbledon's most unexpected champions with an astonishing run that included a rout of defending champion Pete Sampras and culminated in a final victory over MaliVai Washington, Krajicek is back at the historic venue as a member of Stan Wawrinka's coaching team. With a few somersaults and a moonwalk, Roberts even ended up diving over the nets in an attempt to get away from officials.As Richard Krajicek strolls the grounds of the All England Club, it doesn't take long for the Dutchman's thoughts to drift back 20 years, to when he upset Wimbledon's established order with a combination of karate and streakers. Roberts stripped down and ran across the court, with a few extra tricks. The match between Lleyton Hewitt and David Nalbandian in 2002 was slightly disorganised as rain came and went, with Roberts taking advantage of the confusion. I’ve done 541 so far, and keep thinking I’m done. Roberts was reportedly a serial streaker, saying in an interview with the Guardian: “I was 37 and this was my biggest streak. Johnson may have been the first person to streak at Wimbledon without holding a racket, but she certainly was not the last.Ī few years later, another tennis fan Mark Roberts forewent the dress code entirely. I was going to wear a dress but decided to wear my pinny instead.” “When the players came out I thought, ‘It’s now or never’, so I just did it. She was reported “encouraged by all the others” but ultimately said it was her choice: “I knew it had never been done before – and it had to be done, really, didn’t it?” Johnson shared that she had told her colleagues of her plan beforehand, to take off her uniform and leave her little apron on. He later added in an interview Ms Johnson’s appearance was “the highlight of the match”. I got flustered and three sets later I was gone that was pretty funny.” She lifted up the apron and she was smiling at me. The club issued a formal statement after the event: “Whilst we do not wish to condone the practice, it did at least provide some light amusement for our loyal and patient supporters, who have had a trying time during the recent bad weather.”Īs for the actual tennis, Krajicek became the first Dutchman to win Wimbledon, with Washington partly blaming the streaker for his loss.ĭuring the trophy ceremony, Washington shared: “I look over and see this streaker. Washington walked back to the baseline, and potentially feeling left out, lifted his shirt to reveal his bare chest to thunderous applause. The players had a giggle amongst themselves as well before returning to the matter at hand. Peter Sneddon, author of Tennis’s Strangest Matches, wrote in the book: “17-year-old Lord Frederick Windsor looked as if he hadn’t enjoyed a tennis match so much for years and the knock-up hadn’t even begun.” In the royal box at the time were the Duke and Duchess of Kent as well as the Prince and Princess of Kent. She then proceeded to give the same treatment to the royal box before being led away by security. She ran the length of the court with a massive smile plastered on her face, and gave the players a special view, lifting up the apron. ![]() Johnson had been doing catering duties on the grounds over her summer holiday and on her break managed to leap over the barrier to Centre Court. ![]() The London student streaked across Centre Court, with commentator John McEnroe jokingly calling for “replays from all angles”.Īn estimated 14,000 spectators, as well as a packed royal box, were waiting to watch the Men’s final on Sunday, July 7, 1996, and were given far more than a tennis match. However, it appears Johnson did not get this memo. The London district of Wimbledon is famous for the tennis tournament, which bring along a variety of celebrities and royalty dressed to the nines for the occasion.Īlthough the court has no dress code for guests, viewers are advised to dress smartly for the occasion.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |