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A trip down memory lane

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST

On the occasion of the Wimbledon Championships completing 125 years, Rediff.com takes a trip down memory lane and rewinds those glorious moments etched in tennis history.

Click NEXT to view Wimbledon's journey over time.

Nadal, the 2010 champion

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal of Spain holds the Wimbledon Championships trophy after winning the men's singles final in 2010.

The Spaniard overpowered Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 to win the crown for the second time.

Serena defeats Venus in 2010

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Serena Williams

Serena Williams of the United States celebrates with the trophy after defeating elder sister Venus in the final to claim the women's singles crown in 2009.

Nadal finally nails Federer

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

The Roger-Rafa battle was on for quite a while, and Federer had the stakes in his favour, having beaten Nadal previously in 2006 and 2007 at the finals.

However, 2008 was to be Nadal's year.

After an epic match, the longest in men's history, and a 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (8-10), 9-7 victory, Nadal stood tall and finally become Wimbledon champion.

Here, Federer congratulates the Spaniard after the triumph on July 6, 2008.

Another Wimbledon title for Venus

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Venus Williams

The 2007 champion, Venus Williams, hugs the Wimbledon trophy following her victory over Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli in the women's singles final.

Bartoli had shocked top-seed and then World No 1 Justine Henin in the semi-finals for a face-off against Venus in the final.

However, in a battle of unequals, it was the American who reigned supreme.

Nadal goes down to Federer

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal plays a return against Roger Federer during the men's final in 2006.

Nadal's game on clay was unquestionable and at that time critics were not sure if the Spaniard could succeed on other surfaces.

He failed to prove the critics wrong and lost the 2006 final 0-6, 6-7, 7-6, 3-6.

Federer wins second Wimbledon crown

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Roger Federer

Roger Federer celebrates after defeating Andy Roddick to clinch the Wimbledon crown in 2004.

Federer won the title match 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(3), 6-4.

This was the Swiss ace's second Wimbledon crown.

A year earlier, he defeated Australian Mark Philippoussis to announce his arrival in world tennis.

Sampras aces Ivanisevic's serve in 1998 final

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Pete Sampras

Pete Sampras of the United States jumps for a smash during the 1998 final.

Sampras beat Ivanisevic 6-7(2-7), 7-6 (11-9), 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in the 1998 final to win his fifth Wimbledon crown.

Novotna wins first Grand Slam title

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Jana Novotna kisses her mother in the stands

Jana Novotna of the Czech Republic hugs her mother after winning the 1998 women's title.

Novotna beat France's Nathalie Tauziat 6-4, 7-6(7-2) to win her first Grand Slam title and only Wimbledon crown.

Sampras enjoyed a good run in the '90s

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Pete Sampras

Pete Sampras kisses the trophy after winning the 1997 Wimbledon men's singles final, defeating Frenchman Cedric Pioline.

Sampras was enjoing a good run in the '90s and this Wimbledon crown only added to his reputation and stamped his dominance.

Graf rallies for the 1995 Championship

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Steffi Graf

Steffi Graf of Germany raises her racquet and celebrates victory over Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in the women's singles final in 1995.

Remembered as one of the finest matches of her career, Graf had to dig deep for a 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 victory.

Chang goes down to Sampras

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Michael Chang

The United States' Michael Chang in action against compatriot Pete Sampras in the Wimbledon quarter-final in 1994.

Chang lost 1-6, 4-6, 3-6 and Sampras eventually won the title that year, defeating Goran Ivanisevic.

The quarter-final place was Chang's best result in a Grand Slam after his French Open triumph in 1989.

Becker flies

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Boris Becker

Boris Becker of Germany goes fliying as he attempts a classic dive volley during a fourth round match against Henri Leconte at the 1993 Championships.

That year he advanced to the semis, where he lost to Pete Sampras.

Agassi gets his first Slam

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi of the United States hugs the trophy after winning in 1992.

Agassi defeated Goran Ivanisevic 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in an epic battle to claim his first Grand Slam title.

Stylish McEnroe wins third Wimbledon title

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
John McEnroe

John McEnroe of the United States leaps as he attempts a shot during the Wimbledon men's singles final in 1984.

In that match, McEnroe defeated Jinmmy Connors 6-1, 6-1, 6 2 for his third Wimbledon crown.

Evert loses to Navratilova in 1982 final

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Chris Evert

Chris Evert of the United States plays a two-handed backhand during a match a the 1982 Championships.

Evert reached the final but was defeated 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 by Czech Martina Navratilova.

McEnroe gets official warning

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
John McEnroe argues with the umpire

American tennis player John McEnroe argues over a point with the umpire during his semi-final match against compatriot Jimmy Connors in the 1980 Championships.

After all the cribbing and complaining 'Bad boy of tennis' McEnroe eventually won the match, but not before getting an official warning from the chair umpire.

Navratilova's tryst with destiny

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Martina Navratilova

Martina Navratilova of Czechoslovakia in action during the ladies singles final against Chris Evert in 1978.

Navratilova defeated Evert 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 to win the first of her many Grand Slam titles.

Borg's first Wimbledon victory

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Bjorn Borg

Bjorn Borg kisses the trophy after beating Ilie Nastase 6-4, 6-2, 9-7 to become Wimbledon champion in 1976.

This was the first of his five Wimbledon crowns.

When Wimbledon success eluded Borg

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Bjorn Borg

Always popular with the girls, Bjorn Borg is surrounded by young autograph hunters during a pre-Wimbledon reception at the Hurlingham Club, in 1974.

That year he had won the Australian and French Opens and was tipped to win the Wimbledon too. However, success eluded the suave Swede, who was knocked out in the third round of the Championships.

Billie Jean downs Evert

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Billie Jean King

American tennis player Billie Jean King in action against Chris Evert in the 1973 Championships.

Billie Jean defeated Evert 6-0, 7-5 to clinch her fifth Wimbledon title.

Smith wins five-set thriller in 1972

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Stan Smith

American tennis champion Stan Smith kisses the Cup after beating Romania's Ilie Nastase to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon in 1972.

In a thrilling five-setter, Smith won 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

Newcombe defeats compatriot Rosewall

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
John Newcombe

Australian tennis player John Newcombe plays a backhand on his way to victory in the Wimbledon final in 1970.

Newcombe defeated compatriot Ken Rosewall 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.

Emerson wins second Wimbledon title

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Roy Emerson

Australian tennis player Roy Emerson raises the men's singles trophy after beating fellow-Australian Fred Stolle in the 1965 Wimbledon final.

Emerson beat Stolle 6-2, 6-4, 6-4. It was his second Wimbledon title.

Laver gets his first Wimbledon crown

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Rod Laver

Rod Laver of Australia lifts the men's singles trophy after beating Chuck McKinley of the United States in 1961.

Laver won the match in comprhensive manner, recording a 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 victory for the first of his four Wimbledon titles.

Gibson, first black woman to win Wimbledon singles title

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Althea Gibson (right) and Darlene Hard

American tennis player and golfer Althea Gibson receives a kiss from compatriot Darlene Hard after winning the 1957 Wimbledon title.

Gibson beat Hard to become the first black woman to win a women's singles final at Wimbledon.

Perry wins again at Wimbledon

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Fred Perry celebrates after winning the Wimbledon Championships in 1935

English tennis champion Fred Perry leaps over the net after beating Gottfried von Cramm in the men's singles final in 1935.

He won three consecutive Wimbledon crowns from 1934-1936 and was the last Englishman to win the Wimbledon title, in 1936.

He was also the first player to win all four Grand Slam singles titles.

Suzanne Lenglen wins her fourth Wimbledon title

Last updated on: June 24, 2011 09:30 IST
Suzanne Lenglen

French tennis player Suzanne Lenglen in action against Molla Bjurstedt Mallory in the Wimbledon final of 1922.

She won the championship that year for the fourth of her six Wimbledon crowns.