LIFE - Wimbledon: Greatest Singles Finals

http://www.life.com/images/logo.png LIFE - Wimbledon: Greatest Singles Finals http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/27982/wimbledon-greatest-singles-finals 12. Newcombe Beats Rosewall, July 4, 1970 http://www.life.com/image/3424953

After beating fellow Australian Ken Rosewall in five sets, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, John Newcombe happily raises one of the three Wimbledon trophies he won during his Hall of Fame career. ]]> 3424953 Sat, 04 Jul 1970 03:00:00 EDT

Steffi Graf and Jana Novotna after Graf won in three sets, 6-6, 1-6, 6-4. Novotna was up 4-1 in the third set and a point away from going up 5-1 before famously falling apart. Graf stayed strong and won five straight games to take her fifth Wimbledon title.]]> 83767166 Sat, 03 Jul 1993 03:00:00 EDT

Following her shocking third set meltdown in her loss to Steffi Graf, Jana Novotna cried on the shoulder of the consoling Dutchess of Kent. Novotna later won Wimbledon in 1998. It was her only Grand Slam title.]]> 2019898 Sat, 03 Jul 1993 03:00:00 EDT

Both looking happy, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert share a hug after Navratilova won their match 2-6, 6-4, 7-5. The two good friends met once more in the finals in 1979, with Navratilova again coming out victorious. ]]> 3271091 Fri, 07 Jul 1978 03:00:00 EDT

Martina Navratilova accepts congratulations from the Dutchess of Kent after defeating Chris Evert and earning her first Grand Slam title. Navratilova dropped a quick first set to Evert 2-6, but went on to win the next two 6-4, 7-5.]]> 3270728 Fri, 07 Jul 1978 03:00:00 EDT

Australian Margaret Court accepts the championship trophy from Princess Margaret after defeating Billie Jean King 14-12, 11-9. At 2 hours and 28 minutes, it was at the time the longest women's final in the history of Wimbledon.]]> 3062259 Fri, 03 Jul 1970 03:00:00 EDT

Arthur Ashe and Jimmy Connors shake hands after Ashe defeated the heavily favored Connors 6-1, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 to become the first African-American to win a Grand Slam. At the time, many called it the greatest upset in tennis history.]]> 3278435 Sat, 05 Jul 1975 03:00:00 EDT

Arthur Ashe hoists his Wimbledon championship trophy. Knowing, at 31-years-old, that he could not match up to the younger, stronger Jimmy Connors, Ashe relied on unconventional shots to frustrate and ultimately defeat Connors in four sets.]]> 3416599 Fri, 04 Jul 1975 03:00:00 EDT

Venus Williams throws her arms up in joy after defeating top-seeded Lindsay Davenport in three sets, 4-6, 7-6, 9-7. Despite Davenport having match points in both the second and third sets, Williams hung on to win the match in 2 hours and 45 minutes. It was the longest women's final match in history.]]> 53185275 Sat, 02 Jul 2005 03:00:00 EDT

Lindsay Davenport catches her breath during her grueling three set battle with Venus Williams. Davenport left the court in the third set to get treated for a lower back injury, but managed to come back and get to match point. But Williams wouldn't be denied and gained her third Wimbledon title. ]]> 53185482 Sat, 02 Jul 2005 03:00:00 EDT

131886 03: Tennis Player Andre Agassi Returns A Serve During The Wimbledon Tournament July 5, 1992 In England. Agassi Won His First Grand Slam Title At Wimbledon, Beating Becker And Mcenroe Along The Way, And Ivanisevic In The Finals. (Photo By John Russell/Getty Images)]]> 51041513 Sun, 05 Jul 1992 03:00:00 EDT

Agassi won the the first of his eight career Grand Slams at Wimbledon in 1992.]]> 51654773 Sun, 05 Jul 1992 03:00:00 EDT

Agassi won the the first of his eight career Grand Slams at Wimbledon in 1992.]]> JEAN-LOUP GAUTREAU 2009 gettyImages.com 6. Smith Beats Nastase, July 10, 1972 http://www.life.com/image/3142619

A jubliant Stan Smith and dispirited Ilie Nastase following their 1972 final. Smith won the five-set match 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. It was his one and only Wimbledon title. ]]> 3142619 Mon, 10 Jul 1972 03:00:00 EDT

A jubliant Stan Smith and dispirited Ilie Nastase following their 1972 final. Smith won the five-set match 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. It was his one and only Wimbledon title. ]]> Roger Jackson 2009 gettyImages.com Stan Smith Kisses His Trophy, 1972 http://www.life.com/image/3368066

In accordance with Wimbledon tradition, Stan Smith proudly kisses the trophy after defeating charasmatic Romanian star Ilie Nastase in a classic five-set Wimbledon showdown. ]]> 3368066 Mon, 10 Jul 1972 03:00:00 EDT

Defending champion Serena Williams focuses during her final match against 13-seed Maria Sharapova. Williams was seeking a third consecutive Wimbledon title, but lost to the Russian in straight sets, 1-6, 4-6. ]]> 51021776 Sat, 03 Jul 2004 03:00:00 EDT

Maria Sharapova in shock after her straight sets victory over two-time defending champion, Venus Williams -- her first Grand Slam victory.]]> 51021977 Sat, 03 Jul 2004 03:00:00 EDT

Maria Sharapova in shock after her straight sets victory over two-time defending champion, Venus Williams -- her first Grand Slam victory.]]> Clive Brunskill 2009 gettyImages.com 4. Graf Beats Sanchez-Vicario, July 8, 1985 http://www.life.com/image/1232537

In her three set victory over Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5, Graff prepares to rip one of her trademark forehands. The match's most memorable moments came in the eleventh game of the third set, with Sanchez-Vicario serving. The game lasted twenty minutes and included thirteen deuces and eighteen game points. Graf held on to win the game and later the set to earn her sixth Wimbledon title. ]]> 1232537 Fri, 07 Jul 1995 03:00:00 EDT

Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario slugging it out with Steffi Graf. In the third set, fans were so amazed by the twenty minute epic 11th game that they applauded for the entire changeover. Graf won the third set 7-5.]]> 1232541 Sat, 08 Jul 1995 03:00:00 EDT

Jimmy Connors lets loose after defeating John McEnroe in five sets, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4. Connors was three points from defeat in a fourth set tiebraker, but managed to fight back and win his second Wimbledon title. His first was eight years prior in 1974.]]> 1245389 Thu, 01 Jul 1982 03:00:00 EDT

A young John McEnroe looks flustered during his 1982 Wimbledon finals match against Jimmy Connors. ]]> 3065963 Fri, 01 Jan 1982 03:00:00 EST

A young John McEnroe looks flustered during his 1982 Wimbledon finals match against Jimmy Connors. ]]> Hulton Archive 2009 gettyImages.com 2. Borg Defeats McEnroe, July 5, 1980 http://www.life.com/image/3260499

Bjorn Borg drops to his knees in relief after defeating John McEnroe, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7, 8-6. Bjorg earned his fifth consecutive Wimbledon title in a match that included a legendary 22-minute fourth set tiebreaker and is considered one of the greatest tennis matches ever played, anywhere.]]> 3260499 Sat, 05 Jul 1980 03:00:00 EDT

John McEnroe gets up during his draining five-set 1980 match with Bjorn Borg. McEnroe was able to win the crucial fourth set tiebraker 18-16, but Bjorg held on to win the fifth set, 8-6.]]> 51008123 Tue, 01 Jan 1980 03:00:00 EST

Rafael Nadal is ecstatic after beating Roger Federer in their epic 2008 Wimbledon final, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7. Nadal's first Wimbledon title put an end to Federer's five-year championship run. With the victory he became the first man to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season since Bjorn Borg in 1980. ]]> 81837597 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:00:00 EDT

Clocking in at 4 hours and 48 minutes, the match was the longest final in Wimbledon history. As darkness neared, Nadal took the fifth set 9-7. ]]> 81837363 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:00:00 EDT

Clocking in at 4 hours and 48 minutes, the match was the longest final in Wimbledon history. As darkness neared, Nadal took the fifth set 9-7. ]]> Clive Brunskill 2009 gettyImages.com Nadal, Drained, Holds His trophy http://www.life.com/image/81837563

Newly crowned champ Rafael Nadal gazes at a dejected Federer during the trophy ceremony following what most tennis fans regard as the greatest tennis match in history. The rivalry between the two greats began in 2004 in the third round of the Miami Masters. A 17-year-old Nadal took that match in straight sets.]]> 81837563 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:00:00 EDT