Stefan Edberg (Sweden)
Poetry in motion. Or shall we say some beautiful lyrics interwoven to the tune of Wimbledon.
However, we might put it, explaining Stefan Edberg playing on the grass of Wimbledon will always seek something more.
Email this Page
The Swede and the Centre Court made a perfect couple.
And it was child marriage. Edberg was still in his teens when he won the boys' singles title in 1983, with a 6-3, 7-6 win over Australian John Frawley.
He went onto complete the junior Grand Slam that year and remains the only player to achieve that feat.
The transition to men's singles was immediate. Edberg was simultaneously playing in the men's singles in 1983 - he suffered a second round exit at the hands of fellow-Swede Henrik Sundstrom.
Also read: French Open was their moment of glory
There were a few hiccups in the following years till he finally made his presence felt with a semi-final showing in 1987 (losing to Ivan Lendl in four).
In 1988, Edberg proved his point, a four-set win over Boris Becker giving him his first title. The duo would contest the next two finals -- Becker winning in 1989 and Edberg returning the compliment in 1990, this five-setter is arguably the best ever final at the Big W.
There have been many champions at Wimbledon but none were as graceful as the genial Swede.
Advertisement
