The Open era of tennis began with the British Hard Courts Championships, staged at the West Hants Club in Bournemouth, Dorset in April, 1968, following an emergency meeting of the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF) the previous month, which abolished the distinction between amateur and professional players in a limited schedule of 12 tournaments. Since then, the oldest winner of the Wimbledon men’s singles title was American Arthur Ashe Jr., who was 31 years, 11 months and 25 days old when he beat number one seed, and defending champion, Jimmy Connors 6-1, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 in the final on July 5, 1975. In so doing, he also became the first and, so far, only black man to win the men’s singles at the All England Club.
Seeded sixth, Ashe beat number three seed Bjorn Borg – who would, of course go on to win five consecutive men’s singles titles between 1976 and 1980 – in four sets in his quarter-final and number sixteen seed Tony Roche in five sets in his semi-final to set up a meeting with 22-year-old Connors, who was overwhelming favourite, in the final. Nevertheless, Ashe breezed through the first set 6-1 in under 20 minutes and the second, by the same scoreline, almost as quickly. He also led 3-1 in the third set, before Connors regained his rhythm and recovered to win 5-7. In the fourth set Ashe broke Connors’ serve to lead 5-4 and comfortably served out the match to win the third, and final, Grand Slam singles title of his career.
Following heart surgery, Ashe officially retired from competitive tennis in April, 1980. Three years later, he underwent heart surgery for a second time, during which he is believed to acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from a blood transfusion. He died from pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) on February 6, 1993, aged just 49.
The London Marathon was co-founded by the late Christopher Brasher, who died in February, 2003 and the late John Disley, who died in February, 2016. The inaugural London Marathon was staged on March 29, 1981 and featured 7,055 runners, including Brasher himself, who finished in a highly respectable 2:56:56, despite being delayed by a queue of finishers in front of the finishing line.
Brasher, of course, first found fame on May 6, 1954, when he acted as pacemaker for Roger Bannister, the first athlete to run a mile in less than four minutes, at Iffey Road Stadium in Oxford. Two years later, he caused a major upset when winning the gold medal in the 3,000 metres steeplechase at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, having been disqualified for alleged interference, but reinstated on appeal. Disley, too, was a gifted postwar Olympian, having won the bronze medal in 3,000 metres steeplechase at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki – behind American Horace Ashenfelter, who set a new world record of 8:51.0 in final – and finishing sixth behind Brasher four years later.
Brasher and Disley remained lifelong friends and, in 1979, ran in the New York City Marathon, established in 1970, for the first time. Both were impressed; in an article for The Observer, published on October 28, 1979, Brasher described the New York City Marathon as ‘the greatest folk festival the world has seen’, while reflecting on his experience many years later, Disley said, ‘I was so engulfed in this noise, this excitement. We came back and said ‘Well, if the Americans can do it, so can we.”
They could and they did. Disley designed the course, largely flat, with the River Thames at its heart, weaving east to west through the streets of the capital – and, much to the delight of the London Tourist Board, passing many famous landmarks – to the original finish line on Constitution Hill, near Buckingham Palace. Brasher, for his part, took care of publicity for the event. Together, they convinced all the relevant authorities to back the event, arranged a sponsorship deal and the rest, as they say, is history.
1966 marked a historic milestone in football history as England assumed the role of host for the 8th FIFA World Cup. From July 11th to July 30th, the nation basked in the glory of this grand sporting extravaganza, igniting an atmosphere brimming with excitement and anticipation.
In an exhilarating showdown against West Germany, England showcased their mettle, emerging triumphant and leaving their mark on the game of football. The clash, a mesmerising display of skill and unwavering determination, unfolded with a resounding intensity. As the final whistle echoed, the score stood deadlocked at 2-2, propelling the match into an enthralling period of extra time that would forever be etched into the collective memory of football enthusiasts.
Amidst this electrifying extension of play, Geoff Hurst, a true embodiment of the English spirit, took his chance and made sure that he became a part of football folklore. With unrivalled prowess, he accomplished a remarkable feat, putting a hat-trick into history’s pages. His astonishing brace of goals in extra time propelled England to a resounding 4-2 victory, securing their inaugural and sole World Cup triumph to this day.
For England, the 1966 FIFA World Cup represented a watershed moment of unparalleled significance. They joined the prestigious ranks of footballing giants, becoming the fifth nation to hoist the revered trophy high. In following the footsteps of Uruguay in 1930 and Italy in 1934 as triumphant host nations, England cemented their place in the pantheon of World Cup glory. England have failed to win the trophy since but they believe that they are moving closer to World Cup success.
Annika Sorenstam, a name synonymous with greatness in the realm of female golfers, has carved a remarkable path that transcends generations.
Her journey in golf is a testament to her extraordinary talent and desire to win. With an astonishing repertoire of 10 major championships and an impressive tally of 72 triumphant victories on the LPGA Tour, Sorenstam has etched her name in sporting history with an impressive sense of excellence. This exceptional golfer’s feats have solidified her status as a legendary figure, revered for her unmatched skill and dedication to the game she loves.
Among the myriad of accolades adorning her illustrious career, one standout achievement shines brighter than the rest: Sorenstam’s astounding record-breaking feat of attaining the lowest scoring average in a single season on the LPGA Tour—an awe-inspiring 68.98. This remarkable accomplishment underscores her precision, sublime skill, and a seemingly boundless ability to thrive even under the most intense pressure. It is a testament to her unyielding pursuit of perfection.
Sorenstam’s golfing odyssey commenced at a tender age, where her passion and drive were evident from the start. In 1992, she took the plunge into professional golf, swiftly asserting her dominance and establishing herself as a formidable force to be reckoned with. However, it was in 1995 that she experienced her defining moment, capturing the coveted title at the prestigious U.S. Women’s Open. This triumph became a catalyst for a remarkable series of victories that would shape her enduring legacy and inspire generations to come.
The 2006 FIFA World Cup final witnessed an indelible moment that remains seared football history. Zinedine Zidane, a figure of unmatched skill and influence, was thrust into the heart of controversy. It was during this tournament that the French maestro experienced a precipitous fall from grace, as he received a red card for a stunning and unforeseen act: a forceful headbutt directed at Italian defender Marco Materazzi.
The incident transpired in the 110th minute of an already tension-laden final, with the score hanging delicately at a deadlock of 1-1. The atmosphere crackled with fervour as Zidane and Materazzi engaged in a vitriolic exchange, their frustrations simmering beneath the surface. Yet, in a moment that defied reason and betrayed his own sublime abilities, Zidane succumbed to a surge of frustration and impulsivity, launching a resolute headbutt directly into Materazzi’s chest.
The repercussions were swift and severe, leaving an indelible mark on the match’s narrative. The referee wasted no time in brandishing the red card, a damning symbol of Zidane’s expulsion from the pivotal contest. The French virtuoso, stripped of his illustrious presence, was compelled to exit the field, leaving his compatriots to valiantly battle on without their luminary. Ultimately, it was Italy who triumphed in the ensuing penalty shootout, securing the coveted World Cup title with a resolute 5-3 victory.
In the aftermath of the tournament, Zidane took a definitive stance, choosing to retire from the realm of professional football. Thus, the headbutt incident marked the poignant conclusion of a storied career that had witnessed unparalleled heights of achievement. While Zidane’s legacy remains an unquestionable testament to his remarkable prowess, the headbutt serves as a stark reminder that even the loftiest talents can succumb to fleeting lapses of judgement, their emotions wielding an unexpected dominion.