Agony of defeat

* "I'm allergic to grass," Ivan Lendl joked in 1982 in explaining his decision not to play Wimbledon when he was one of the world's top contenders.

He was standing on a golf course at the time. Later in his career, after winning the three other Grand Slam events, Lendl came to realize Wimbledon's significance.

Despite intense preparation every year, he never won Wimbledon and retired last year. His "allergy" did not stop him from winning the Wimbledon Junior title in 1978.

* Australia's Ken Rosewall had to battle more than just his opponents in reaching four Wimbledon singles finals.

Rosewall suffered an intense allergic reaction--better known as hay fever--at Wimbledon, which left him with streaming, itchy eyes and a runny nose.

Rosewall reached his first Wimbledon final in 1954, losing to Czech Jaroslav Drobny, and his fourth 20 years later when he lost to Jimmy Connors.

Compiled by Russell Barlow, ATP Tour World Doubles Championship Consultant.