WIMBLEDON, JUNE 20: Aarongi PARK at the All England Club presents a fascinating picture days before the Championships actually kicks off. It is where the practice courts are situated and more than the courts, it acts as a leveller. From journeymen to unsung qualifiers, to Grand Slam winners to pretenders, they all mill around, patiently awaiting their turn.In that crowd, you could spot Andre Agassi, sharing a joke or two with lesser-known players and of course Pete Sampras, who despite all the millions and the 11 Grand Slam titles, is at the courtside waiting for Goran Ivanisevic and Jim Courier to finish with practice. All the same, it is banter all the way.
Soon, they are on the court warming-up, hitting balls, to begin what could be a more crucial fortnight for both Americans, one who is at the threshold of equalling the most number of Grand Slam titles, and the other who has already made history of a different sort a couple of weeks ago in Paris. Missing from the milling crowd of hopefuls and winnerswas the man who calls the All England Club his spiritual home.
Boris Becker, the last of the great German players, has also pitched tent for what he says is his final fling at history. The man's strange chemistry with the Championships has turned out the most fascinating tales to have emerged from this tradition-soaked atmosphere.
The 113rd edition of the Championships will pursue the story of these three greats, chasing their own piece of history. Pete Sampras, the top seed, will be the man to beat on grass, despite the shocking lack of form which saw him win just one title this year at Queen's last week.
Stripped of his aura of invincibility, the Greek-American's struggle to get to the top of the pile has been exploited by fellow-pros on the tour who, many times, have made him look so ordinary that Sampras had to resort to desperate measures. With the continuous assault on him at the French Open, the pressure to win here for the sixth time has become all the more higher.
Moreover, with Andre Agassiwinning the French Open to become the first after Rod Laver to complete a Grand Slam of titles, it could be the best chance for the top seed to catch up with Roy Emerson. But then, Agassi has already stolen his thunder with that epic fortnight at Roland Garros at a time when it has become increasingly evident that Sampras may never win that coveted clay court title.
That's where Agassi has scored, psychologically, over his old rival. The Las Vegan is brimming with confidence and with the marriage to Brooke Shields behind him, he seemed quite geared to repeat 1992. He is not short of crowd support anyway, given his flashy image and that uncanny ability to whip up frenzy in the stands. But then, there is this 30-year-old whom people here call the `old lion' who refuses to bid adieu to the Championship for ever.
Boris Becker says this would be his last, and if he sincerely thinks he has a shot at the title, he cannot be blamed. The emotional bonding notwithstanding, he is still one of the big draws for thefortnight. And when he walks out of the All England Club for the final time as a player, he is convinced he will forever carry a little piece of England with him.
Becker feels his record of winning the title at 17 years and seven months is something which will be difficult to break in recent times. ``The game is completely different these days because guys play mostly on clay and hardcourts and do not get experience on grass.''
Becker can be sure that the sentimental Centre Court crowd would be behind him and where winning may well become secondary. That's what he would be looking for. A grand farewell from the famous piece of grass. He deserves it, doesn't he?
Top ten players of the century
With the last edition of the Championships getting underway in a few hours from now, The Times has put out the top 10 of the 20th century:
1900s Laurie Doherty (GB): Doherty won five successive titles from 1902. A stylish player, he epitomised gentlemanly manner in which tennis wasplayed. 1910s Anthony Wilding (New Zealand): Won four consecutive titles before losing to Norman Brookes in 1914. One of the first heartthrobs of international sports. He campaigned hard to change the system whereby the winner played just one match in defence of his crown. 1920s Bill Tilden (US): Won 2 titles from the back of the court, thus flouting convention. Relinquished stage for the four musketeers of France. Returned in 1930 to win third title. 1930s Fred Perry (GB): Son of a Labour MP, became the best British player of all time by winning for three straight years, '34, '35 & '36. Had the smoothest running forehand the game ever saw. 1940s Jack Kramer (US): American won just once in the decade but was by far the best in that decade. 1950s Lew Hoad (Aus): Won Wimbledon twice. Some argue he was the greatest of all-time because he used to beat Laver regularly. 1960s Rod Laver (Aus): His wristy left hand was too much foreveryone in the 60s as his two titles on his return in 1968 and 69 demonstrate. First leftie to develop an effective top-spin backhand. Great but humble player. Two Grand Slams in '62 and '69. 1970s Bjorn Bjorg (Swe): With baseline game and utility volley, won 5 titles beginning from 76. Metronomic mind which never wavered. Wimbledon player of the century. 1980s John McEnroe (US): Five straight finals, 3 title. Best pair of hands ever and an unorthodoxy that left opponents stunned. 1990s Pete Sampras (US): Undoubtedly the Sampras decade. Five titles in 6 years. Has genuine class as a grass court player. Cool match player with a serve that becomes the lynchpin.Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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