Best Cinderella Story: Iconic Moments in Tennis History
Nothing captures the imagination of the public more in the world of sports than the stunning emergence of a new star—or an unanticipated triumph by an older player seizing an opportunity to secure an elusive prize when it no longer seemed possible. What follows are some striking examples of such stunning achievements.
What do you think is the best Cinderella story in tennis history?
AND THE NOMINEES ARE...
Emma Raducanu, 2021 US Open
Experts closely monitored Raducanu after her surprise run to the round of 16 at Wimbledon last year, but few believed the 18-year-old would become the first British female US Open champion since Virginia Wade in 1968. Yet Raducanu emerged as the first qualifier to take the title, winning ten matches, performing like a polished veteran.
Goran Ivanišević, 2001 Wimbledon
Three times across the nineties, this dynamic left-hander advanced to the Wimbledon final but he was beaten twice by Pete Sampras and once by Andre Agassi. Now a wildcard ranked No. 125 in the world, Ivanišević celebrated the fortnight of his life, upending three of the top six seeds, concluding with a spellbinding triumph over No. 3 Patrick Rafter.
Kim Clijsters, 2009 US Open
The popular Belgian won the US Open in 2005, left tennis in 2007 and started a family the next year. As a wildcard at the 2009 US Open in only her third tournament back, she removed No. 3 seed Venus Williams, No. 2 Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki, becoming the first mother to win a major since Evonne Goolagong 29 years earlier.
Mats Wilander, 1982 Roland-Garros
A year after countryman Bjorn Borg had won his sixth and last French Open, 17-year-old countryman Swede came of age at Roland Garros, playing with a poise well beyond his years, forthrightly knocking out four of the top five seeds including Ivan Lendl and Guillermo Vilas to capture the crown astoundingly in his tournament debut.
Guga Kuerten, 1997 Roland-Garros
Eventually becoming the best ever Brazilian male player, Kuerten approached Roland-Garros stationed at No. 66 in the world, but amazingly left Paris with the title. The charismatic Kuerten—surging with self conviction— toppled a cavalcade of stars on his way to victory including previous champions Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Thomas Muster and Sergi Bruguera.
Pete Sampras, 1990 US Open
Although he had been touted as a player who would one day rule the world, Sampras was only seeded No. 12. But he met the moment magically, eclipsing Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe and a heavily favored Andre Agassi with mature and majestic tennis to make himself the youngest male player ever to win the tournament at 19.
Serena Williams, 1990 US Open
Appearing in only her seventh Grand Slam tournament, the 17-year-old, No. 7 seed had never been beyond the fourth round. But Serena believed in herself, recouping from 3-5 down in the final set to beat Kim Clijsters before powering past Conchita Martinez, No. 4 seed Monica Seles, No. 2 Lindsay Davenport and top seeded Martina Hingis for her breakthrough major.
Michael Chang, 1989 Roland-Garros
At 17, Michael Chang comported himself like a seasoned champion, making history of the highest order on the Parisian clay. In the fourth round, Chang overcame severe cramps and a two set deficit to topple Ivan Lendl. In the final he valiantly stopped Stefan Edberg in five sets. Seeded 15th, Chang became the youngest ever male French Open champion.
