If you are a voracious sports reader and fanatic rolled into one, you must have come across star players whose bratty attitudes on and off the court have earned them media mileage as well as rich commercial endorsements.
In the current Wimbledon contest at the All-England courts, notice that fans have (developed) a dislike for Novak Djokovic who claimed his 23rd GS victory at the French Open.
The Serbian tennis superstar is on his legendary journey as he aspires to get ahead as the first man to snatch 24 Grand Slam title if he wins Wimbledon.
As far as I’m concerned, the tennis superstars of today cannot parallel the era spurred by Billie Jean King, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Pete Sampras, Boris Becker, Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis whose individual sterling performances and on-court behavior were worth your time watching them play and read the results of their superbly-fought games the next day.
The rivalry was fierce and even mixed with controversies but the same players acknowledged their losses and wins with graciousness and humility.
(Carlos Alcaraz, the world’s number one ranked tennister, was applauded and cited for his act of sportmanship after recently defeating Italian Matteo Berrettini in the fourth round, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
The 20-year old Spaniard showed class by clapping his hands for two minutes, waiting for Berrettini to finish signing autographs on his way out.)
Borg, McEnroe and Connors (not necessarily in this order) were the three leading tennis heroes who captivated sports fans around the world with their outstanding athleticism and devil-may-care playing styles.
Christ and rival Martina were also a class by themselves in the same manner Steffi and the younger Martina competed against each other.
All argued vehemently with umpires when protesting against questionable calls but respected them.
Evert was a fan favorite because of her elegant and queenly decorum, not to say of her finesse and finely chiseled physique.
Graf and Hingis loved exchanging repartees with the audience while serving the ball.
Sampras, Agassi and Becker exemplified screen action heroes who dived, slipped, got bruised and broke racquets.
These were the unforgettable tennis heroes and heroines of the previous generation who transformed it to its golden era. They mesmerized everyone – fans and the sportsmedia alike.
They had egos – big ones – but they also had character. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
