Thrills and spills
* Wimbledon's slippery lawns have taken their toll on players.
In 1936, defending champion Fred Perry of Britain and German Gottfried Von Cramm were the world's top players and a thrilling contest was expected when both made it to the final. But in the third game, Von Cramm slipped and twisted his ankle.
A consummate gentleman, the German nobleman continued to play but could offer little resistance as Perry triumphed 6-1, 6-1, 6- 0.
* The grass was not kind to Britain's Christine Truman in the 1961 final. Leading by a set and 4-2, Truman turned awkwardly and fell on the slippery surface as she ran for a short ball. The crowd favorite stayed on the ground for several minutes before recouping to play.
Compatriot Angela Mortimer seized the opportunity to beat the limping Truman. "Christine can have the sympathy but I have the trophy," Mortimer said after her victory. Angela Mortimer later married John Barratt, one of the most respected journalists in tennis.
* Ironically, the same slippery fate befell Vera Sukova of Czechoslovakia in the final the following year. Sukova injured her ankle in the semifinal and could only hobble around the court as Karen Hantze Susman blasted winner to take the match.
Vera Sukova's daughter, Helena, and her son, Cyril Suk, became top players in their own right.
* Onlookers will ever forget the drama and tragedy of the 1978 Wimbledon semifinal between Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Martina Navratilova.
Cawley, always a favorite of Wimbledon crowds because of her free-flowing style, was returning to international play after giving birth to a daughter. Cawley had a nagging ankle injury which had required treatment in several earlier matches.
The two players had split sets and were even at 3-3 in the third when Cawley ran wide for a forehand. She hurt her ankle as she did so and a scream rang out in the stadium.
The stadium was silent as Cawley limped over to her chair. When play resumed several minutes later, Cawley could barely move for the ball. An emotional Navratilova began to sob at the sight of her opponent, but she went on to win the match and then her first championship final against Chris Evert.