Wimbledon Tennis 2013: Why Historic Tournament Is Most Prestigious Grand Slam

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at Internationaled.org

Published: June 25, 2013

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Wimbledon's prestige comes from its longevity.

Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, dating all the way back to 1877. When you win at the event, you are part of a history that extends past a century.

The tournament has also witnessed some of the greatest tennis players to ever play this game. That includes Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and the late Brit William Renshaw, who have each captured seven Wimbledon titles. Renshaw, if your memory is a bit murky, won his first Wimbledon championship in 1881.

Wimbledon also housed the rivalry between John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg. Their five-set match in the 1980 final was considered one of the greatest matches ever played. Borg won that one, only to watch McEnroe exact revenge in the 1981 final.



And who can forget the 2008 Wimbledon final between Federer and Rafael Nadal, widely lauded as the greatest match in tennis history?

Bruce Jenkins wrote at the time, via the San Francisco Chronicle:

What a scene: Nadal flat on his back after four hours and 48 minutes of glory, the longest Wimbledon final in history, made nearly two hours longer by a pair of rain delays. Nadal propelling himself into the Friends Box (leave it to Rafa to take the most difficult route) and coming out of it with a Spanish flag. Nadal walking along the roof above the TV broadcasters to reach the Spanish royalty, Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias, who made the very worthwhile journey to London. And then Nadal back on the court, in a swirl of flashbulbs, to celebrate the first Wimbledon men's victory by a Spaniard since Manuel Santana in 1966.



Wimbledon is also the only major still played on grass, the sport's original surface. The grass not only pays a homage to the beginnings of tennis, balls react differently on the surface, bouncing less than on clay and favoring the serving game and the backhand.
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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