7 memorable moments from Wimbledon 2016

10 July 2016 01:53

Wimbledon has seen abundant thrills and the occasional sour moment.

Here is a look at seven of the most memorable moments in the 2016 Championships.

:: "Willbomb's on fire, Federer is terrified"

Marcus Willis, ranked 706th in the world, won six qualifying matches to reach the first round, where he powered past Ricardas Berankis to set up a Centre Court clash with Roger Federer. After he stopped grinning, some way through the second set, Willis even gave Federer some food for thought. Willis, known as 'Willbomb' to his gang of noisy supporters, had the time of his life. He has a talent, and is trying to make the best of it, encouraged by his girlfriend. Whether Wimbledon ever sees him again is up to him.

:: Gordon Reid's doubles delight

The 24-year-old Scot was a keen footballer and tennis player before, at the age of 12, he began to suffer from a condition that attacked his spinal cord and left him paralysed and in hospital for six months. Weeks after leaving hospital, he took up wheelchair tennis. At Wimbledon, the Glasgow player won singles and doubles titles with a bright smile across his face. What a sportsman.

:: Viktor Troicki's tantrum

The Serbian launched one of the most extraordinary rants ever heard at Wimbledon with a sustained volley of abuse at umpire Damiano Torella, who overruled a line call that led to match point in his second-round defeat to Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Troicki called Torella "the worst ever umpire in the world". "What are you doing?" Troicki exclaimed. "Did you see the ball? You're so bad."

:: People's Sunday

For the fourth time in Wimbledon history there was play on the middle Sunday, after rain caused heavy disruption in the first week. The club reluctantly decided it was necessary, and the 22,000 who snaffled all available tickets inside 27 minutes had a day to remember, with Serena Williams among the winners.

:: The wonderful Williams sisters

Not only did 34-year-old Serena land a seventh Wimbledon singles title, and 22nd singles grand slam overall, but 36-year-old Venus had a resurgence when reaching the semi-finals for the first time in seven years, and on Saturday evening they teamed up to take the doubles trophy too. As Serena said: "Who said that our age was old? Who put that stipulation on it? Because it's working for us."

:: Nicolas Mahut is a Wimbledon champion

Frenchman Mahut is best remembered as the losing party in the 11-hour Court 18 clash with John Isner in 2010, when Isner took the final set 70-68. But he has a Wimbledon title now too, after he and countryman Pierre-Hugues Herbert landed doubles glory on Centre Court. Old friend Isner tweeted: "Congratulations, @nmahut! Very well done! #Wimbychamp"

:: Nick Kyrgios called the shots

Few players try the variety of shots that Australian Kyrgios likes to display, and his 'tweener' in the first round against Radek Stepanek was probably the most extraordinary seen over the fortnight. There was no obvious need to play a between-the-legs shot after Stepanek serve-volleyed, but Kyrgios casually lifted his right leg, whipped his racket behind his back and lobbed his bewildered opponent.

Source: PA