Wimbledon Men Legends

Some players are destined to become legends. Here is a short account of men Wimbledon legends, the superstars who are the likes of Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver, John McEnroe, John Newcombe and Pete Sampras.

Jimmy Connors
Connors, from USA, was a player who never gave up, was hard-hitting and extremely focused on the task in hand. Spectators watching Connors play always knew he would give all that he had, even when a score line against him would suggest the opposite. He was always a strong competitor for any title, playing with a steel racket. He was one of the fittest players on the circuit and always prepared to run down balls.

Singles Champion: 1974, 1982
Singles Runner-up: 1975, 1977, 1978, 1984
Doubles Champion: 1973

Bjorn Borg
Bjorn Borg, from Sweden, had achieved milestones that would set him apart as one of game's greats. Few feats in tennis are as impressive as those of Borg. A player of great strength and endurance, he possessed a distinctive and unorthodox style and appearance. His muscular shoulders and torso gave him the strength to lash at the ball with heavy topspin on both forehand and backhand. He is at the pinnacle of Wimbledon legends.

Singles Champion: 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980
Singles Runner-up: 1981

Rod Laver
Rod Laver, from Australia, made his debut in Wimbledon at the tender age of 17 in 1956. By the time he made his final appearance at Wimbledon in 1971 he had been title holder four times and Runner-Up twice. Laver took Wimbledon by the storm in 1969. He was in dominant form, having won the Australian and French titles, and he thundered through Wimbledon.

Singles Champion: 1961, 1962, 1968, 1969
Singles Runner-up: 1959, 1960
Doubles Champion: 1971
Doubles Runner-up: 1959
Mixed Champion: 1959, 1960

John McEnroe
John McEnroe, from USA, has been among the most successful players in Wimbledon. He brought to Centre Court the qualities of charisma, talent, attitude and purity of shot that made him unforgettable. McEnroe's sharp vision and sharp reflexes enabled him to return the biggest servers early and place the ball in either corner or down the middle. Rivalries are a key part of sport and McEnroe versus Borg was one of the greatest rivalries. McEnroe was also known for his volatile temper.

Singles Champion: 1981, 1983, 1984
Singles Runner-up: 1980, 1982
Doubles Champion: 1979, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1992
Doubles Runner-up: 1978, 1982

John Newcombe
John Newcombe, from Australia, was a player who knew how to enjoy himself at the court. He was the last player to win The Championships as an amateur, for the game turned open after that. He was not just a singles player. He also won six doubles title at The Championships, five in partnership with Tony Roche, and the other with Ken Fletcher, all part of a doubles record. Newcombe had almost perfect game for grass, always advancing quickly to the net.

Singles Champion: 1967, 1970, 1972
Singles Runner-up: 1969
Doubles Champion: 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1974

Pete Sampras
Pete Sampras, from USA, was a genius. He won the singles title at Wimbledon seven times, a record shared with William Renshaw. And it tells about his dominance in wimbledon. His rivalry with Andre Agassi was one of the greatest in the games. Sampras was never an effusive character on court, but there was a fire in him that burned brightly and scorched all who came near it. He dedicated all his life to achieve greatness and then hang on to it.

Singles Champion: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000