In what ways can tennis players be considered Wimbledon “stars”? While winning a tennis title at Wimbledon is arguably the best measure of star status, there are other factors to consider. This subjective ranking is sometimes affected by longevity and popularity. Exposure and talent have also increased these days, which explains why recent players are considered the best in Wimbledon history. In addition, the player’s place in Wimbledon history contributes to the level of star quality they showcase.
1. Rod Laver
In the 1960s, if Rod Laver had not been banned from major competitions after turning professional in 1962, he could have set a men’s major race record not set by modern greats Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. However, Laver still won 11 Grand Slam titles, including 4 Wimbledon singles titles. As an amateur, he won the first two tournaments before the crisis of the 1960s and the last two at the end of the crisis, marking the end of the era of tennis once again becoming fully professional. He is easily one of the best players in Wimbledon history.
When he won Wimbledon in 1962 and 1969, he – faithful to amateurs and professionals alike – played a role in achieving the calendar slam. Today, many refer to every Grand Slam as a “Grand Slam”, although it was originally used in the same year to describe winning all four Grand Slam tournaments in the same year.
2. Bjorn Borg
Bjorn Borg won five consecutive championships in the second half of the 1970s, which made him look immortal. In 1980, he defeated John McEnroe to win his fifth and final world title, a match once considered one of the greatest in tennis history, especially on grass, but ultimately overshadowed by Nadal’s incredible matches and Federer in 2008.
Arguably, tennis in the 21st century lasts longer, while the world itself is smaller. The availability of instant digital communication makes it easier for players to assess their abilities when playing tennis on three different courts: hard, clay, and grass. However, the 20s of the 70th century were different. Borg was Wimbledon champion in the second half of the decade, where he won six French Open titles from 1974 to 1981. As long as the UK has been described as a “Wimbledon fan” rather than a “tennis fan”, no one has noticed that Borg is equally dominant on clay when it comes to SW19.
So it could be an achievement that seems even more incredible now than it was then, as the two races were noticeably separated in two weeks or even a week, rather than how much it seemed at the time.
3. Venus Williams
At the All England club, Williams played her best tennis for most of her career, making her one of the best players in Wimbledon history. The tennis player won her first title in 2000, defeating Martina Hingis and Lindsay Davenport, beating first and second place. When Williams won her third and fourth Wimbledon titles, her winning temperament was best demonstrated.
Williams was ranked 2005th at Wimbledon in 16 and 14th for the year after losing the Australian Open and French Open. Her victory at Wimbledon was her first victory over two top players, first with semi-final No. 2 Sharapova and then with a final victory over Lindsay Davenport.
After two seasons of injury performances, Williams entered Wimbledon as 31st and 23rd seeds. She did not perform well due to playing against lesser-known opponents in the first week of the tournament. After losing the first two fights, she dominated the second round, winning three of the top six fighters. After winning her second Wimbledon title, Williams became the lowest-seeded player in history.
Williams won five of her seven Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon. Despite her low proficiency on all venues, Venus Williams has the ability to win Wimbledon on grass.
4. Roger Federer
Among the greatest players in history, Roger Federer holds the record for the most titles, and many ranking systems rank him as the greatest player of all time. Federer, who was in his early twenties, dominated Wimbledon in the 2000s, winning five consecutive titles and equalling Björberg’s record. It wasn’t until Rafael Nadal defeated Federer in 2008 that Federer lost a game at Wimbledon. In the end, Federer lost a 40-game winning streak at Wimbledon, and his 65-game grass winning streak ended in a 6-4、6-6 scoreline. 4、6-7、6-7、9-7。
For nearly a decade, Federer has been virtually unbeatable on grass with his powerful shots, offense in front of the net, steady serve, and dexterous touch. Federer’s reign at Wimbledon began in 2003, and Federer has not lost a single game in his last four matches.
Federer defeated Nadal for the second time in the 2007 final. However, Nadal turned things around in 2008, ending Federer’s long winning streak. When Federer won Wimbledon 2017, he defeated Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in the final rounds of the tournament, perhaps his most impressive performance at Wimbledon. As a world-class player, Federer is known for his smooth play, which makes him competent on all types of venues. Therefore, on grass courts, he is unbeatable.
After winning the title in 2017, the Swiss said: “Wimbledon has always been my favourite tournament and will always be my favourite. Because of them, I think I’ve also become a better player. So making history at Wimbledon really means a lot to me, because of all of this, really. It’s that simple. ”
Conclusion
The only Grand Slam tournament played on grass was Wimbledon. It is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments held annually. Over the years, especially during the Open since 1968, it has hosted many excellent players. The ranking of players is mainly determined by the number of Wimbledon singles titles they have won, but also by the strength of their opponents, the dominance they have shown at Wimbledon, and the overall reputation of the players. The list of the best players in Wimbledon history is evaluated based on the factors that set them apart.