Weird, Wonderful Wimbledon

* Many consider Rumanian Ilie Nastase to have been among the most gifted players never to have won Wimbledon. The temperamental talent reached the final twice--in 1972 and 1976--but lost both times. He won a total of 36 games, or an average of 18 games per final, the same number of games won by three post-war champions, Jack Kramer, Dick Savitt, and Alex Olmedo in their lone final appearances.

Champions All...1

* People who saw her play say that Maria Bueno was the most graceful female player ever. The Brazilian won the Wimbledon women's title three times in 1959, 1960 and 1964. She was runner- up in the next two years and was still a top contender until a bout of hepatitis and an arm injury forced her to retire. In 1976, at the age of 36, Bueno returned to Wimbledon and reached the fourth round. For one spectacular set against Britain's young Sue Barker, Bueno showed the brilliant form of her championship years. Bueno was so popular in Brazil that a street was named after her in Sao Paulo, two statues were erected in public parks and a stamp was issued in her honor. The only other South American woman to reach a Wimbledon singles final is Gabriela Sabatini of Argentina in 1991.

* Only two women--Karen Hantze Susman and Virginia Wade--have won the title in just one singles final appearance. A teenage Karen Hantze won the doubles title with Billie Jean Moffitt (later Mrs. King) in 1961. The next year, after her marriage, Karen Susman returned to pick up both the singles and doubles titles at Wimbledon before retiring.

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