My Wimbledon magic moment - Part One
ESPN is celebrating its 10th year of broadcasting Wimbledon in the United States so the star-studded team decided to share their favourite moments from the oldest tennis tournament in the world, including a streaker, a wedding and a brilliant practical joke. Look out for Part Two tomorrow...
John McEnroe - The Streaker
"Sure, I played many memorable matches at Wimbledon and won the Championship three times… those were all special. But you asked memorable. Well, before the 1996 men's final between Richard Krajicek and Mal Washington, Dick Enberg and I were live on TV standing courtside previewing the match when a woman with no clothes on runs onto the court. A streaker at Centre Court Wimbledon! And as Dick was quoted later, she was a very healthy woman!
"On the air, I said 'We need a replay from every possible angle!' My distinguished partner Mr. Enberg reminded me that it was a 'family show.' So I replied, 'My family would love it!'"
Patrick McEnroe – Those Finals
"I have two Wimbledon memories that stand out, and both involve me as a spectator. The first was 1980, my brother's famous match against Borg in the final with that 18-16 tiebreaker in the fourth. Was I courtside? No. I was watching from 4,000-some miles away in a Motel Six in Fort Worth, Texas, competing in the 14-and-Under National Hardcourt Championship. I remember jumping up and down on my bed and screaming at the set.
"My other memorable Wimbledon experience was the epic Roger-Rafa final in 2008. I was lucky enough to call the match for ESPN3 with Mr Dick Enberg. I was there with the two greatest players of this era and a broadcasting legend. What I remember most vividly is Nadal's dejected look when he lost the fourth-set tiebreaker. He sat down for the changeover and his dad looked at him and you see him say 'come on, get up, you've got to be positive.' It took 16 more games and was nearly dark at the finish, but it worked out for them."
Cliff Drysdale – Wimbledon Wedding
"I've been going to Wimbledon since 1962, and reached the semi-finals twice (1965 and '66) and three more times in doubles, but in 1968 I had the most interesting day. I got married in the morning in the Chelsea section of London and played on Centre Court in the afternoon. My bride, Jean, was the sister of my Davis Cup teammate Gordon Forbes. And my partner that day – on the court – was Torben Ulrich, father of musician Lars Ulrich. We lost the match but it was a beautiful time."
Pam Shriver – Birthday Surprise
"In January 1981, Martina Navratilova and I began our doubles partnership. That year's Wimbledon was our first major together. On July 4th – my 19th birthday – we walked out onto Centre Court to play the final against the defending champions, Ann Smith and Kathy Jordan. As we turned to curtsey to the Royal Box, a few people in the standing-room-only crowd began singing "Happy Birthday" to me, and it spread throughout the arena. When they finished, everyone applauded! An hour later, we won our first of 20 major titles together and the first of four straight (and five overall) ladies' doubles crowns at Wimbledon.
"I was lucky to play Wimbledon from 1978-1997 so I have lots of wonderful memories but that one 'took the cake.'"
