Champions All...2

* Wade traveled a much longer road to the Wimbledon title. Born in England, Wade lived in South Africa until the age of 15. She returned to her birthplace, received a degree in physics from a British university and began her quest to win Wimbledon in 1962. She met with misfortune several times, but was expected to win in 1974 when she faced Olga Morozova in the semifinal. Instead, the Russian, who had beaten title-holder Billie Jean King in the quarterfinals, triumphed 7-5 in the third set.

* Everything finally came together in 1977, the Centenary year of Wimbledon. A new look Wade had cut her long hair and altered her service motion in preparation for the Championship. She beat defending champion Chris Evert in the semifinal and then overcame a nervous start to defeat Betty Stove of Holland. Queen Elizabeth II presented Wade with the winner's trophy.

* In 1983, at the age of 38, Virginia Wade reached the quarterfinals of the championship. That same year, her old nemesis, Billie Jean King, reached the semifinal at the age of 39 years, 8 months.

* Martina Navratilova was so dominating in the early 1980s that opponents felt fortunate to win a few games and prevent complete humiliation. After her 1982 Wimbledon 2-6, 2-6 semifinal loss to Navratilova, Bettina Bunge was asked what she had learned from losing to the former Czech player in their past six encounters.

* Bunge thought for a moment and offered a wry smile. "Well, I've learned how to shake Martina's hand at the net," she replied.

Compiled by Russell Barlow, ATP TOUR World Doubles Championship Consultant