Thursday, May. 21, 2009

Hingis/Graf — 1999

Tennis historians will note that this was the last of 22 Grand Slams Steffi Graf would win. But the final itself contained as much drama as any in Graf's glorious career. Where to begin? The favored Martina Hingis disputing a line call in the second set (she had won the first) and venturing over to Graf's side of the court to point where she felt the ball had landed? The 32 stroke rally won by Graf in the second set as Hingis tried to serve out for the match? Perhaps the lengthy bathroom break Hingis took during the third set (when you've got to go, you've got to go)? Or maybe Hingis leaving the court after losing 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 and having to be persuaded to return for the presentation ceremony by her mother? In the words of Graf: "It was one of the craziest matches ever. I don't know what else could have happened."

See pictures of Wimbledon's Centre Court Catwalk.