Becker and Graf share Wimbledon tennis glory

Press, 11 July 1989, Page 24

Becker and Graf share Wimbledon tennis glory

NZPA Reuter Boris Becker dazzled defending champion Stefan Edberg into submission yesterday to steal the Wimbledon tennis trophy and complete a double triumph for West Germany with the women’s champion, Steffi Graf. Grafs successful defence of her title against Martina Navratilova just hours earlier on the centre court made West Germany the first European country in 55 years to produce both the men’s and women’s Wimbledon champions. Becker and Graf, whose family homes are just 10km apart and who have known each other since childhood, repeated a feat last achieved by the Britons, Fred Perry and Dorothy Round, in 1934. “For her to win today and for me to win is quite special,” said Becker after his 6-0 7-6 6-4 victory over Edberg in a one-sided final gave him his third Wimbledon title and revenge for last year’s defeat by the Swede in the final. “Only when we are both a grandfather and a grandmother will people realise what we have achieved.” For the second year running, Graf thwarted Navratilova’s ambitions of winning a record ninth title. Though the 32-year-old American won a second set

tiebreak to force a third set she was unable to keep pace with the fleet-footed Graf and was defeated 6-2 6-7 6-1 in 92 minutes. The two women had been forced to wait 24 hours to play. Rain on Friday and Saturday meant the programme had to be rewritten, putting both singles finals on the same day for the first time since 1973. Becker looked anything but tired as he charged through the first seven games in less than 25 minutes for the loss of just 16 points. Edberg, like-a wild animal blinded into helplessness by the headlights of an oncoming lorry, could only stand and stare as Becker roared onwards, sending winners whistling past him from every angle. . Graf, appearing in her tenth consecutive Grand Slam final and the winner of all four major tournaments last year, made up for her defeat in the French Open final four weeks ago by the Spaniard,. Arantxa Sanchez. She put Navratilova under pressure on her serve from the start, getting to break point in the first and third games and then breaking her twice in a row. “She played better than last year, much better I thought,” said Navratilova who had a 7-5 2-0 lead a year

ago before the West German fought back to win. “I don’t know how much better she can get,” added Navratilova, vowing to be back for her 18th Wimbledon next year. “I don’t know if I can ever be as fast as she is because of her legs and her foot speed. She’s a sprinter, she’s a track and field athlete more or less.” Graf broke back as the second seed served for the second set at 5-3, passing her with a forehand on the second break point and the set went on to a tiebreak which Navratilova won 7-1. Determination etched into her face, Graf was helped by a succession of volleying errors from Navratilova as she went a break up for 3-1 in the deciding set. “I had such a good feeling inside of me,” the 20-year-old, Graf said. “I had to really tell myself ‘come on, concentrate’ and not start laughing.” But her concentration stayed and another break in the sixth game gave 'her the chance to serve for ■ the match. She finished with the flourish of an ace and her father, Peter, and coach Pavel Slozil jumped to their feet in the stands and hugged each other. Results:— Men’s singles, final: Boris Becker (W. Ger.) bt Stefan ■ Edberg (Swe) 6-0,

7-6 (7-1) 6-4. Women’s singles, final: Steffi Graf (W. Ger.) bt Martina Navratilova (US) 6-2, 6-7 (1-7), 6-1. Men’s doubles, final: John Fitzgerald (Australia)-Anders Jarryd (Swe) bt Rick LeachJim Pugh (US) 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).-Women’s doubles, 4 final: Jana Novotna-Helena Sukova (Czech) bt Larisa SavchenkoNatalia Zvereva (Soviet Union) 6-1, 6-2. Mixed doubles, quarterfinals: Mark Kratzmann-Jenny Byrne (Australia) bt Neil Broad (S. Af)-Terry Phelps (US) 3-6, 7-5, 13-11. Robert Seguso-Lori McNeil (US) bt Royce Deppe-Dinky Van Rensburg (S. Afr) 6-2, 64. ’ Rick Leach-Betsy Nagelsen (US) bt Darren Cahill-Nicole Provis, (Australia) walkover. Third round: Rick LeachBetsy Nagelsen (US) bt Peter Doohan (Australia)-Elise Burgin (US) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. Boys’ singles, final: Niclas Kulti. (Swe) bt Todd Woodbridge (Australia) 6-4, 6-3. Girls’ singles, final: Andrea Strnadova (Czech) bt Meredith McGrath (US) 6-2, 6-3. Boys, doubles quarter-finals: Johan Anderson-Todd Woodbridge (Australia) bt Leander Paes (India)-Troy Tipene (NZ) 6-1, 7-5.