Match ‘fun’ despite loss

Press, 11 July 1989, Page 40

Match ‘fun’ despite loss

NZPA-AP Wimbledon England ' It could have been a loss at her club in the Caribbean. Only it was the women’s singles final on centre court at Wimbledon, and Martina Navratilova had missed another shot at the record she wants the most in the tournament she loves best It was enough to make her laugh. “Today was fun, I enjoyed the hell out of it,” Navratilova said after losing, 6-2, 6-7, 6-1, to Steffi Graf. What a difference a.’ year makes. When Graf beat her* for the 1988 Wimbledon, title, a shattered Navrati-.’ lova cried on court. It was her first loss in; nine Wimbledon finals, but, more importantly, it kept her from breaking J Helen Wills Moody’s all-; time record of eight' singles titles. It was a new, mellow ’ Martina this time. “I’m not that disap-. pointed,” she said. “I - mean, I am. disappointed ■ because I didn’t win, but' I did everything I could; in my preparation.” Unlike her friend and long-time rival, Chris Evert, who lost to Graf in the semi-finals and announced it was probably her last match at Wimbledon, Navratilova said she planned to be back next year to try for the record again. Navratilova is 32 now. and clearly a step slower than she used to be, but she maintains she will; get better. : “I think I can still play my best tennis in the future,” she, said. “I’m still learning. I’m still working on my game. I will be improving some things.” • ■ Graf, who is only 20, said she had room for improvement, too. Navratilova said that could make for some classic matches in years to come. ' “I’m just, looking forward to the day when we’ll both be playing great tennis,” Navratilova said. “I still think I can beat her on a good day.”

Titles to Graf, Becker, page 24.