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Most tennis players embark on their journey with one big dream - To win at least one Grand Slam in their career!It takes years of training, dedication and mental fortitude in order to be worthy of winning a Grand Slam. There are players who have been able to win multiple Grand Slams and make a place for themselves in history. At the same time there are players who, after reaching multiple Grand Slam Finals, managed to win one and had to be content with it. Winning one Grand Slam is a feat no less grand!Here are some players who achieved that and have a place, albeit a humble one, in the annals of tennis history. These players, mostly from the past couple of decades, generated a lot of buzz when they won their maiden Grand Slam. Some of them continue to contribute to the game even today in various capacities.
#10 Anastasia Myskina
Anastasia Myskina was demure off court but was highly competitive on it. 2004 was a breakthrough year for Myskina as she became the first Russian female to win a Grand Slam Singles title. Her road to the finals was no less dramatic as she had to save four match points against compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova. She also beat Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport in subsequent matches.
In the first all Russian Women’s Final at Roland Garros, Myskina beat Elena Dementieva in straight sets to win her maiden Grand Slam.
Anastasia Myskina is now the Captain of the Russian Fed Cup team.
#9 Michael Stich
One of the most complete players of his time, Micheal Stich was solid from the baseline and at the net. He beat two stalwarts in tennis history – Stefan Edberg in the Semi Finals and Boris Becker in the Finals – to win his maiden Grand Slam in Wimbledon 1991. Stich also has a Wimbledon Grand Slam Doubles title to his credit.
The German is now a BBC Commentator and also the tournament director at the Hamburg Open.
Boris Becker is now seen in Novak Djokovic’s player box as his Coach - calm and collected – keeping a sharp focus on his charge’s performance. In the Wimbledon Final of 1991 against Stich, he was visibly frustrated and was constantly berating himself. Stich nullified Boom Boom Becker’s fast well placed serves with splendid returns and showed incredible athleticism in getting the ball back every time Becker thought he had won the point!
#8 Conchita Martinez
With the nine time Wimbledon Champion on the other side of the net, Conchita Martinez played the match of her life to defy all odds and claim her only Grand Slam title at Wimbledon 1994. She defeated the legendary Martina Navratilova in three sets to become the first ever Spanish woman to win Wimbledon. Most Spaniards are known for their expertise on clay and that’s what makes this lady’s win very special.
Conchita Martinez now captains the Spanish Fed Cup team.
#7 Andy Roddick
Andy Roddick was at his peak at the juncture of a very interesting era. 2003 was not only a breakthrough year for him, but also indicated a change of guard in men’s tennis. In Wimbledon in the same year, Roger Federer won his first Grand Slam title and what followed is history.
Roddick, at the age of 21, won his first and only Grand Slam at the US Open 2003. He beat Juan Carlos Ferrero. Roddick finished the match with three booming aces down the tee.
#6 Marion Bartoli
In 2007, she had lost the final to Venus Williams.
Six years later she was in the final again! She tossed the ball up and served it out wide. The chalk flew off the tramline and it was an ace! Game Set and Match Ms.Bartoli! She raised her arms in joy!
Bartoli could not believe what she had managed to achieve. She was 2013 Wimbledon Champion and joined the pantheon of Champions who won the coveted title before her. She hugged her opponent Lisicki at the net and then jumped into the stands to reach her team. Her dad and Amelie Mauresmo had helped her win the title.
Her win was also mired in some unnecessary controversy as a BBC Commentator made an insensitive comment on Bartoli.
Bartoli, being the cool cat she is, ignored the comment and took it all in her stride. She retired a couple of weeks after this win citing that her body could not take the grind anymore.
She works as a commentator.
#5 Richard Krajicek
Richard Krajicek won Wimbledon in 1996 and he was the first ever Dutch man to win a Grand Slam. On his road to glory, he beat former Champion Michael Stich in the fourth round and tournament favorite Pete Sampras in the Quarter Finals. Krajicek, known for his big serves, defeated Malivai Washington in straight sets to win the title.
Krajicek is now the tournament director at the ATP Rotterdam Open and has also authored many books on tennis.
#4 Gabriela Sabatini
In 1985, at a tender age of 15 years, Gabriela Sabatini played Chris Evert in the Semi Final of the French Open. Though she lost the match, she held the unique distinction of being the youngest player ever to reach the Semi Final of the French Open. Sabatini’s arch rivals were Steffi Graf and Monica Seles. She lost to them on multiple occasions before she was able to turn the tables.
In 1990,Sabatini won her first Grand Slam by beating Graf in a three set battle. She was the first woman from Argentina to win a Grand Slam.
#3 Michael Chang
All of just 5 foot 9 inches, Michael Chang was a warrior on court. Known for his ability to hustle around the court, get every ball back in play and his fighting spirit, Chang won his sole Grand Slam at the French Open in 1989.
His Semi Final match against the World No.1 Ivan Lendl was a dramatic match. After losing the first two sets, Chang secured the next two and an early break in the decider. 2-1 up, Chang’s body was starting to give up. He had cramps in every part of his body and Lendl could see that.
Chang held his ground, played on and was rewarded a berth in his first ever Grand Slam final. In the Final, he took down Stefan Edberg to win his maiden Grand Slam at 17 years of age.
Today he coaches Kei Nishikori who is No.5 in the World.
#2 Jana Novotna
In the Wimbledon Finals of 1993, Jana Novotna squandered a 4-1 lead against Steffi Graf in the final set. They tagged her as a ‘choker’!
At 4-1 up and the finish line in sight, her arms felt heavy and she tightened up. A slew of unforced errors from Novotna gave Graf an opening. Graf upped the ante and reeled off five games in a row to clinch the title and leave Novotna in tears.
It took five long years for Novotna to find Wimbledon glory and her maiden Grand Slam. In 1998, she faced Natalie Tauziat in the Final. But this time around it was a completely different Novotna. Improved mental toughness had seen her battle past Venus Williams and Martina Hingis on her way to the Finals.
Novotna beat Tauziat in straight sets. With a return winner down the line, Novotna fell on her knees and raised her arms in jubilation. She had tears of joy in her eyes and so did the Dutchess of Kent who applauded her valiant effort from the Royal Box.
#1 Goran Ivanisevic
He was close to being the Wimbledon Champion for 3 years – 1992, 1994 and 1998. But all three years he was denied the title by Agassi first and by Sampras for the latter two years.
Goran Ivanisevic, the ace machine, finally realized his dream of winning a Grand Slam in 2001 when he was given a wild card to Wimbledon that year.
He faced Patrick Rafter in the Final that year. The match was a see saw battle that saw both players winning alternate sets. In the Final Set, with a break in hand Ivanisevic served for the match. His faced contorted with tension and the hands jangled with nerves. Most of the crowd was behind Ivanosevic. He managed to serve a couple of aces in the game that brought him to Championship point. He finally converted on his fourth match point when Rafter dumped a service return into the net.
Ivanisevic thus became the first Croatian to win a Grand Slam and he recently emulated his success as a Coach as he helped Marin Cilic win the US Open in 2014.
