A Walk Down the Wimbledon Memory Lane

Right in the middle of the tennis season, Wimbledon is here in all it's vintage combined with a formal yet classical display of tennis action.

The players are the same, the game doesn't vary but there is a marked difference in the atmosphere; playing in the green turf dressed in all-white apparel, Wimbledon is all about the "British Aura" to which over the years, each player has added his own "little-drops-of-water-make-a-mighty-ocean" contribution.

And from this vast list of players and rivals, contemporaries and nemesis i tried to compile a list of a choicest few matches; which make us fans reside perpetually in limbo, hovering between the memories of yore and coming back to the present to record another set of memories in our minds...

1. Pancho Gonzalez vs. Charlie Pasarell [First Round 1969]

A true classic, this one match displays the tenacity and the determination of an ageing Gonzalez.

The 41-year Gonzalez fended off a younger Pasarell threat in an era where there were no tie-breakers to mark the victor, after losing the first set, 22-24.

At that time this was the longest match in the history of Wimbledon at five hours and 12 minutes played over a course of two days.

The final score: 22-24, 1-6, 16-14, 6-3 and 11-9. Thankfully, the organisers decided to introduce the system of tie-breaks soon after this saga, making sure no player was taxed so hard in the days to come.

2. Bjorn Borg vs. Vitas Gerulitas [SF 1977]

This is another case of a perfect on-court rivalry and off-court friendship where the legendary Swede was pitted against his rival-cum-friend Vitas Gerulitas.

Borg who had won the previous Wimbledon without dropping a single set, was stretched to three five setters in 1977, the best of which being the match being discussed.

With both of them stretched to the last throes of their limit, Borg eventually pulled it off with an amazing 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6 and 8-6 win over his friend.

3. Bjorn Borg vs. John McEnroe [Finals 1980]

This was history being created at SW-19; detached yet attached Borg being challenged by the abrasive McEnroe fighting towards greatness, trying to equal Fred Perry's five Wimbledon titles in the pre-open era.

McEnroe gave every ounce of his professional best till the very end, though Borg finally managed to have the last laugh; if McEnroe was extra-ordinary that day, then Borg was nothing less than "extra raised to the power of two."

4. Jimmy Connors vs. John McEnroe [Finals 1982]

The two Americans marked another chapter of their rivalry with this classic cruncher.

The defending champion was playing his best and in comparison, his opponent for the day was slugging it on court equally well. Shots matched shots, skill unsurpassed skill, but the game demands just one winner; just one who has the potential to outlast and unravel his rival in those highly sparked moments.

The defending champion and the World No. 1 was bested at a place, where he had bested his nemesis Bjorn Borg the previous year; Americanisation prevailed at Wimbledon for the second year running though, the flag bearer had been replaced.

5. Jimmy Connors vs. Mikhail Penfors [Fourth Round 1987]

Another demonstration of why "Old is gold"; where the 34-year old Jimbo hurdled past his 24-year old opponent in this nail-biting drama.

Trailing 1-6, 1-6 and 1-4; Jimbo soon powered his way into the last eight by displaying what should have been one of the best tennis performance from his side in his playing career. The final score: 1-6, 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 and 6-2.

6. Stefan Edberg vs. Boris Becker [Final 1990]

The last year's finalists found facing each other, as if they were returning back to main frame action post a short one year intermission.

Becker who had won the 1989 finals, cruised along like a ship's prow on the unruffled Edberg waters winning the first two sets comfortably; the third and the fourth  however, was a total reconnaissance from Edberg who with his equalisers and in an almost perfect fifth set, settled the score with the German.

7. Andre Agassi vs. Goran Ivanisevic [Finals 1992]

Playing in his first Wimbledon, Andre Agassi faced a Croat who was best known for his serve-and-volley tactics.

Agassi, with his hardcore baseline game, however proved more than a match for the tall Ivanisevic who in spite of taking the match to a deciding fifth set, couldn't bear the Agassi onslaught of rallies and ended up conceding the match in a much demure fifth set.

8. Pete Sampras vs. Pat Rafter [Finals 2000]

Sampras playing against the Aussie was at the peak of his career at that time and it seemed nothing could stop his path to conquer his seventh Wimbledon title- a stupendous and a magnanimous feat if he did the honours.

Not even Rafter could match Sampras's skill and dexterity that day and though he got a set to his name, the lead protagonist was Sampras and Sampras alone that day.

9. Pete Sampras vs. Billy Cowan [Second Round 2001]

Had Billy Cowan polished off the defending champion in the second round, Roger Federer's name would have been sheathed in obscurity; but as close as a history was on the verge of being created, fate, luck and Sampras managed to defy the seven letter word.

In an enthralling five setter, Billy Cowan played what could go down in his entire playing chart as the best two equalising sets and though Pete Sampras saved the day it will be Billy Cowan for whom this match will be most remembered for.

10. Roger Federer vs. Pete Sampras-[fourth round 2001]

Sampras got a lifeboat in his second round encounter but Roger Federer didn't choose that day to become a kindred angel.

He demonstrated that brand of tennis, that was to become famous in the years to come. the rivals played like they had no tomorrow and indeed it was to be curtains for one; surprisingly it was the defending champion who made the exit falling before a legend in the making.

11. Goran Ivanisevic vs. Tim Henman [SF 2001]

Henman made another foray into the semifinals raising the hopes the home crowd yet again.

Henman played brilliantly from the start of the match—till the rain havoc-ed the proceedings, giving Goran a much needed divine intervention. Thereafter, it was a different story altogether and where Ivanisevic reached his fourth slam final, Henman bowed out in an manner that had reached a so-called predictable zone.

12. Pat Rafter vs. Andre Agassi [SF 2001]

The two time US Open champion Rafter fought against a valiant Agassi to set up a date for yet another Wimbledon finals one year after he finished as the runner-up.

Agassi, to his credit definitely gave a tough fight but where he was incomplete, Rafter provided the finishing touches and finished it till the end winning the match in a thrilling 8-6 fifth set.

13. Goran Ivanisevic vs. Pat Rafter [Finals 2001]

With a reputation of choking and falling short in the last three Wimbledon finals he had previously contested, Goran Ivanisevic had stunned everyone that year by reaching the finals- this time as a wild card entrant.

Rafter, on the other was determined to shed every sweat for the title; and it remained to be seen how he could tame the resurgent Croat.

Throughout the course of the match, the pendulum oscillated from one player to the other, before Goran Ivanisevic finally closed on his maiden slam victory becoming the first wild card participant in the history of the tournament to win the coveted title.

14. Roger Federer vs. Rafa Nadal [Finals 2007]

The Swiss was chasing a record and the Spaniard was out there preparing to thwart him equalling another record in the process.

With four consecutive Wimbledon titles under his belt and fresh from facing another crushing defeat at Roland Garros at the hands of the 21-year old Spaniard, the Swiss was raring to avenge his red dirt loss.

After a mammoth five setter match which had both parties displaying some solid and exhilarating tennis, the Swiss maestro finally conquered his Wimbledon pentagon proving once again to the world, why he was the best grass courter out there at the moment.

15. Rafa Nadal vs. Roger Federer [Finals 2008]

The rivals met again for the 18th time with Rafa leading their overall head-to-head at 11-6.

The previously concluded French Open was a disaster for the Federer camp and come Wimbledon, the Swiss was gunning to go past the supposedly "Borg jinxed" fifth title and revenge himself for the humiliating Roland Garros debacle.

Rafa was a dragon breathing fire, literally running amok with his jaw dropping improvement on the playing surface and very soon Federer found himself staring at a scenario he could have never imagined: the "Game Set Match Rafa" scenario.

And when finally after a chest tightening and nerve wracking 9-7 fifth set not to forget Federer's heroic fending off two championship points in the fourth set tie-break, Rafa collapsed to the ground, the air resonated with the fall of an empire and,possibly the beginning of another.

Honourable Mentions

There are several matches which though are not featured here, are nevertheless worth reminiscing; some of them are listed below:

1. Rod Laver vs. Tony Roche [Finals 1968]

2. Stan Smith vs. Illie Nastase [Finals 1972]

3. Arthur Ashe vs. Jimmy Connors [Finals 1975]

4. John McEnroe vs. Bjorn Borg [Finals 1981] and

5. Boris Becker vs. Andre Agassi [SF 1995]