TWO stars of women’s tennis enjoyed reliving a famous Wimbledon final yesterday as they sat together in a Liverpool park.
Martina Hingis became a household name in Britain when she beat Jana Novotna in the 1997 Wimbledon final.
At just 16, she was the youngest- ever ladies champion, taking the accolade from Lottie Dod, a Liverpool tennis legend, who won way back in 1887.
The pair met again at Calder-stones Park, in one of this year’s highlights at the Liverpool Interna-tional Tennis Tournament.
The competition has already seen the likes of Goran Ivanisevic and Australian favourite Pat Cash drop in to play in one-off Legends games.
Speaking before the rematch, Novotna recalled: “It was a very big occasion. I was thrilled to be in another final but I knew it was going to be very difficult.
“I was injured and thought about pulling out.”
But, in a brief pause, Hingis interrupted, saying: “She’s one tough cookie.”
The camaraderie between the two is still evident and Novotna remembers that, even in the heat of the Centre Court at Wimbledon, they had a rapport. “She made the game very special. Being in the locker room, we were just talking away and having a really good time.
“I knew I was always going to be part of history, whether I won or not.”
Despite their obvious friendship, Hingis admitted she had thoroughly prepared for this encounter against a woman she described as “one of the world’s best ever grass court players.” The preparation paid off.
Hingis emerged winner again in straight sets as dark clouds fleetingly threatened to intrude on the exhibition match.
At just 27, she is the baby of the Legends circuit and revealed she does not miss the professional circuit. While Novotna, at 39, is using Liverpool to hone her grass court game ahead of yet another Wimbledon campaign – this time in a doubles team – Hingis is simply enjoying the fun on exhibition games.
Last year, she was banned for two years for testing positive for cocaine after a third-round exit at Wimbledon, although she has always denied taking the drug.
She said: “Tennis has always been part of my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I love tennis and whenever I see people playing it makes me want to do it, too. Tennis has given me everything and now it is time for me to give it something back.”
Hingis also had ample chance to see Liverpool’s reborn city centre after discovering her baggage had not followed her to John Lennon Airport.
She was forced to pop into the city’s new Debenhams store to stock up on clothes and get a makeover before heading to Calderstones Park to play.
This mishap apart, organiser Anders Borg is delighted with the tournament so far.
And Cllr Warren Bradley, speaking before the game, summed up the prevailing mood.
He said: “About seven years ago, we said we would bring players to a Liverpool park so that young people could play alongside champions and today that is happening.”
Wildcard entrant Chloe Murphy yesterday fulfilled that dream. The 15-year-old Liverpool tennis player was up against tournament favourite Ashley Harkleroad.
Mr Borg said: “Chloe was up three games to two in the first set and really moved Ashley round the court. It was a great start for a young kid.”
But, for many, yesterday’s Wim- bledon replay was the most in- triguing. Like Cllr Bradley, he believes that visiting stars could be the key to unlock untapped tennis talent in Liverpool and perhaps even recapture the glories of Lottie Dod’s hey-day.
He said: “If just 10% of the 5,000 youngsters we’ve introduced to tennis this week go back to their parents and say, ‘This is a great sport, I want to get involved,’ then we’ve completed our mission here.”
SPORT: PAGE 26
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