Does anyone remember the men’s semi-final in Roland Garros in 1982 when the 17-year-old Mats Wilander surprised fourth-seed Jose Luis Clerc? The young Swede had match point. A long rally ensued on the clay, and the umpire gave him the point – and a remarkable victory - following a bad call. Wilander refused to win like that, later saying “I could never forgive myself if I took the match on that point.” So, to much astonishment, the umpire climbed back into his chair until Wilander quickly won it ‘again’.
It had been a closely contested fourth set and he could well have lost that match. He won the passage to the final with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-2, 1-6, 7-5. His brothers, who had driven from Sweden to Paris to support him, were quick to berate him about the incident, saying “What? This isn’t the Juniors. We didn’t drive all the way here to watch you give away points!”
Thirty years on, Mats Wilander – our popular presenter on Live@Wimbledon – has been presented with a replica of the Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Trophy by Barry Weatherill of the International Tennis Club in acknowledgement of a career in which he always had the respect of his peers as the ultimate fair and tough competitor. In a fittingly sunny interlude on an otherwise overcast drizzly day, Mats was live on air with co-presenter Annabel Croft when he was ambushed with the mini bronze statue. Tributes read out from other players included lines such as “You’ve always been a gentleman on court” and “You epitomise all that is great in the game”.
Respected, popular, and modest too. Wilander accepted his trophy recalling how he thought the winning point that actually counted in that 1982 French Open semi only came because Jose Luis Clerc was so surprised at the turn of events. “We have been really good friends ever since. He always calls me Junior!”
“The International Tennis Club Sportsmanship Trophy is a wonderful accolade to win because it’s representative of views of good players around the world,” explained Barry. Mats won seven Grand Slams and is one of only five to have won on all surfaces, grass, clay and hard. He was also part of Sweden’s very successful 1980s Davis Cup team that were finalists in seven consecutive years, with three victories. Previous recipients of the award in the last 12 years include Stefan Edberg, Chris Evert, Todd Martin, Maria Bueno, Pat Rafter and Kim Clijsters.
The ITC originated in 1924 as the International Lawn Tennis Club. Wallis Myers, tennis correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, noticed the huge international good will created by tennis as he travelled around the world reporting on matches. He wanted to recognise and nurture that spirit and the club was formed. It now numbers 40 associate clubs in as many countries made up of former Davis Cup and Fed Cup players and those who have ‘carried their racket overseas’ (under an umbrella organisation, the International Council). Members compete in matches among themselves for trophies that range from 16 and Under right through to the 75 and Over category.
“The most important element in recent years is the Junior Challenge for 16 and Unders,” said Barry. “The kids who play ITF events don’t play team tennis, so this is all about fostering camaraderie. We also run a philanthropy programme for disadvantaged children, giving a grant to an International Club that can put on a programme to learn the game and the life skills that come through the discipline of sport. We have ones in Ethiopia, Johannesburg and Leon in Mexico.”
Camaraderie is the raison d’etre. ‘Hands across the net. Friendship across the ocean,’ remains the mantra today.
Copyright in these pictures belongs to and is kindly provided by the Federation Francaise de Tennis and the INA, Paris.