Friday Five: Tennis fairytale stories

It’s been a fairytale week at Wimbledon (so far). First World No.772 Marcus Willis, whose Wimbledon journey began in pre-qualifying, made it through to a second round Centre Court clash with Roger Federer. Then Aussie Matt Barton, who had never won a maindraw Grand Slam match, triumphed 14-12 in the fifth over Albano Olivetti.

In homage to these fairytale stories, we take a look back at the most inspiring narratives that have been spun on a tennis court.

5. Jelena Dokic’s dream run to the Aus Open quarters

It had been a stormy couple of years for Jelena Dokic going into the 2009 Australian Open. After reaching World No.4 in 2002, the Aussie struggled with personal issues and form from 2003 to 2008. In 2009 things changed. Dokic switched nationalities (from Serbian to Australian), and burst back onto the scene at the Australian Open. A dream run to the quarterfinals not only endeared her to the public, but earned her legendary status amongst tennis fans around the world.

4. Monica Seles makes a comeback

The drama of the tennis court was put in to harsh and harrowing perspective when Monica Seles was stabbed by a deranged fan in the middle of the 1994 Hamburg quarterfinal. It took the World No.1 out of the game for over a year, and changed her life forever. When she returned, Seles was re-instated as joint World No.1 (alongside long-time rival Steffi Graf), but many questioned whether she could recapture her glory days.

To an extent, she did.

In her first competitive tournament, Seles captured the Canadian Open, setting a record for the fewest number of games conceded by a tournament champion (14). She then made a run to the US Open final, before winning the 1996 Australian Open. Although it would be her last Grand Slam title, in many ways it was the former Yugoslavians most important victory.

3. Boris Becker wins Wimbledon

It was the era of McEnroe, Connors and Lendl, but it was Boris Becker who took the plaudits at Wimbledon 1985. Aged just 17 years and 227 days, Becker wowed the Wimbledon crowds with his brash, entertaining style. His fairytale story was complete when he beat Kevin Curren 6-3 6-7 7-6 6-4 in the final, the first of his three titles at SW19.

2. Kim Clijsters wins the US Open

After two years in retirement (during which time she became a mother), Kim Clijsters surprised the tennis world when she announced that she was making a comeback in 2009. That surprise turned to shock when the wildcard went on a dream run to the US Open title, beating first Li Na, then Serena Williams and finally Caroline Wozniacki in the final. She was the first wildcard to win the US Open, and the first mother to win a Grand Slam since Evonne Goolagong Cawley took the Wimbledon crown in 1980.

1. Goran Ivanisevic wins Wimbledon

When World No.125 Goran Ivanisevic was handed a wildcard into the maindraw of Wimbledon 2001, few expected him to pull off the greatest fairytale story SW19 has ever seen. The big serving Croat, a three-time runner-up at the tournament, took down a host of top names before dispatching Pat Rafter to claim his first – and only – Grand Slam title.