Mehrotra: The Wimbledon Greats

Abhishek Mehrotra

The confines of Centre Court have been witness to some of tennis' most memorable triumphs and heart-breaking losses.

Here, we take a look at the players who have provided fans with some of the game's most abiding memories.

Bjorn Borg (Winner 1976 - 1980, Finalist 1981)

Long before Andre Agassi became a fashion icon, Borg had girls swooning on centre-court with his long golden hair, beard (which he did not shave at any time during the fortnight), Nordic good looks and a tranquility that bordered on the supernatural.

Borg played in the era during which serve-and-volley was the dominant form of the game on the lightning quick grass of Wimbledon. But blessed with supreme athletic ability and ground strokes that sometimes defied belief - the Swede lifted the trophy an incredible five consecutive times, a record he shares with Roger Federer (2003-2007)

During those five years when he was well-nigh untouchable on grass, Borg was involved in some of the greatest matches ever played on Wimbledon. Indian fans would remember his clash against Vijay Amritraj in 1979 when the defending champion was down two sets to one and 4-1 in the fourth before eventually prevailing in five thrilling sets.

Then there was his epoch-defining 1980 final against John McEnroe (which included that tie-break in the fourth set) as well as the five-set epic against good friend Vitas Gerulaitis in the 1977 semi-final - a match in which Borg prevailed 8-6 in the fifth.

In the firmament of Wimbledon greats, Borg's star shines dazzlingly bright.

John McEnroe (Winner 1981, 1983-84 Finalist 1980, 1982)

It is impossible to mention Borg without bringing up McEnroe - the tyro who finally dethroned the king in 1981. Having been achingly close in 1980, the American finally ended Borg's incredible 41-match winning streak the next year and went on to win two more titles at the All England Club.

The contrast between the two men began from their personalities and extended to their style of play on court. McEnroe was loud, brash with wickedly swinging serves and a complete command of the net. Borg was calm, dignified with unerring ground-strokes and a mastery of the baseline.

Both were blessed with abundant talent and consequently played out some of the best tennis ever seen on Centre Court.

After beating Borg in '81, McEnroe went on to lost the title the next year to Jimmy Connors before winning it twice in succession in 1983 and 1984.

With his arcing serves, incredible volleys and signature "You CANNOT be serious" (which was worth the price of the admission ticket alone)Mac waltzes into the Wimbledon Hall of Fame.

Boris Becker (Winner 1985-86, 1989 Finalist 1988, 1990-91, 1995)

"Boom-boom" burst on the tennis scene with his cannon serves in 1985 - defeating Kevin Curren in the final to become the first German (West German at the time) and the first unseeded player ever to win Wimbledon.

With his booming serve (hence the nickname) and trademark dive-volleys that captured the imagination of youngsters worldwide, Becker was one of the most successful Wimbledon players of his era.

He went on to defend his title in 1986 and was then involved in three successive finals with another classy Swede, Stefan Edberg. The duo met for the summit clash from 1988 to 1990, with Becker edging one and Edberg two.

In all, the German reached seven Wimbledon finals in 11 years from 1985 to 1995 - but never won after his 1989 triumph over Edberg. He succumbed to Michael Stich in 1991 and to an unstoppable Pete Sampras in 1995.

Nonetheless, no list of Wimbledon greats can be complete without him.

Pete Sampras (Winner 1993-1995, 1997-2000)

For eight years from 1993 to 2000 (both inclusive), Pistol Pete owned Centre Court, only "lending" it to Dutchman Richard Krajicek in 1996.

Backed by the most consistently destructive serve the men's game has ever seen, Sampras romped his way to seven titles in eight years - trampling anyone who stood in his way to glory.

The American was the quintessential serve and volleyer - venomous on the serve and deadly on the volley. And unlike most of the breed, he had some magnificent ground-strokes as well. The Sampras forehand on-the-run - hit down the line with ferocious power remains one of the abiding memories of tennis in the 90s.

Becker, Andre Agassi, Goran Ivanisevic, Patrick Rafter - were all dispatched as Sampras occupied Centre Court like a colossus for nearly a decade. A true master at Wimbledon.

Roger Federer (Winner 2003-2007, 2009 Finalist 2008)

When Sampras was on the wane, it had seemed inconceivable that the tennis world would be lucky enough to see another great champ emerge soon. But the inconceivable did happen - as perhaps the best player of all time came on to the stage.

Looking back, Roger Federer's defeat of Sampras in the fourth-round of the 2001 Wimbledon was a passing of the baton. The American powerhouse had run his lap, it was time for the Swiss artist to take over.

Federer even managed to do what Sampras couldn't - win five All England titles in a row and equal Borg. And just like Borg, Federer has given us some of the most incredible memories ever - in victory as well as in defeat.

His masterful handling of big servers like Andy Roddick (2004, 2005 and 2009) and Mark Philippoussis (2003) was a tennis lesson not likely to be forgotten by those who were privileged enough to watch it.

And his loss to Nadal in the 2008 final was a match worthy of the Gods - equalled in quality and drama only by the 1980 final between Borg and McEnroe. Incidentally - Borg was present in the crowd the day Federer failed to beat his record of five successive triumphs at SW 19.

The Swiss never looks more comfortable than when on Centre Court - and even if he fails to win another Wimbledon, will remain one of the best - if not the best player to have ever graced the lush green courts of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Honourable Mentions:

Jimmy Connors (Winner 1974, 1982 Finalist 1975, 1977, 1978, 1984)

Stefan Edberg (Winner 1988, 1990 Finalist 1989)

Andre Agassi (Winner 1992, Finalist 1999)

Goran Ivanisevic (Winner 2001, Finalist 1992, 1994, 1998)

Rafael Nadal (Winner 2008, 2010 Finalist 2006, 2007)*

Ivan Lendl (Finalist 1986, 1987)

Andy Roddick (Finalist 2004, 2005, 2009)

Patrick Rafter (Finalist 2000, 2001)

*Currently active and likely to move into the top five best ever male grass court players in the next few years.