Favorite and noble

* Britain's Sue Barker and Martina Navratilova were two of the world's best young players when they faced each other in the quarterfinals in 1976.

They split sets and were even in a tight third set when two linesmen's calls became increasingly erratic; nearly every Navratilova shot which landed close to the line was called out, while there were no calls on the British player's shots.

Barker looked embarrassed as Navratilova made loud and angry protests. Navratilova still managed to win.

As for the two linesmen, they were later banned for life from officiating in tennis tournaments for their blatant favoritism.

* The Duke of York, later George VI and the father of Queen Elizabeth II, played in the men's doubles competition at Wimbledon in 1924.

His daughter did not share his love for the game and returned to Wimbledon in 1977 after an absence of 20 years to watch the women's final. As fate would have it, Britain's Virginia Wade won the title that year.

* Wimbledon opened on its present grounds in Church Road in 1922. It rained on the first day of the Championship.

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