Tennis became a box-office smash in the mid 1970s when an intriguing, telegenic cast of personalities emerged in the men’s and women’s game following the professionalisation of the sport and the advent of the Open era.
Clinching the lead roles in the Wimbledon soap opera of 1974 was a heartwarming romance: this was the blockbuster year of the ‘Love Double’.
Romance was certainly in the air. Across the capital in London Zoo, hands were clutched to chests with choruses of aahs at the sight of Ching Ching and Chia Chia, two young giant pandas that had been gifted to Britain from the Chinese government and won public affection.
Down in the leafy London suburb of SW19, Jimmy Connors, 21, and Chris Evert, 19, who were engaged at the time, won the gentlemen’s and ladies’ singles titles – and propelled themselves into the role of romantic leads in the sport’s new showbiz profile.
Their story – on court and off it – lit up the tournament. From the first round to the finals, the brilliant young Americans progressed through the draws to claim their first Wimbledon singles title, wielding their newfangled trademark double-handed backhands.
The Chrissie-Jimbo relationship captured the public imagination. He, the hot-headed maverick, known for his intensely aggressive style of play; she, America’s ice-cool sweetheart, admired for her composure and pinpoint accuracy. Yin and yang, they became sport’s most glamorous couple.
The day after Chrissie beat Olga Morozova in the ladies’ singles final, Connors beat Ken Rosewall and wrote the final line of the fairytale. Their dual victories were sealed with a dance to ‘The Girl That I Marry’ at the Champions’ Dinner.
Even better for fans and photographers alike, Evert and Connors had entered mixed doubles together too. Seeded No.2, they withdrew in the third round to concentrate on their singles campaigns.
"It was a total fairytale," Evert agreed years later. "Jimmy and I were two young kids having a good time with no pressure on us, getting a lot of good press. It was a very exciting time for both of us.
"To win Wimbledon and have along someone you love is almost too good to be true,’ she reminisced.
Sadly, their status as Wimbledon’s First Couple was short-lived. The wedding that had been planned for November that year was called off and they returned the following year as single singles competitors.
Fifty years ago, another American was writing her own fairytale in parallel to the Love Double. Peggy Michel, a Californian who had a stunning junior and collegiate tennis career, won the ladies’ doubles alongside a Wimbledon champion with film-star allure: Evonne Goolagong.
Having turned pro after graduating from Arizona State University, Michel travelled to Australia to work with coach Vic Edwards. He sharpened her groundstrokes and strategic nous – and paired her with his longtime student, Goolagong.
The doubles partnership went on to win three Grand Slam titles together – the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 1974, with a successful defence of the Australian crown a year later in 1975.
After hanging up her racket, Michel nominated the doubles victory at Wimbledon 50 years ago as her most memorable experience on the WTA Tour.
"From the time I was a little kid hitting tennis balls against a backboard I wanted to win Wimbledon," she recalled.
"I thought my first trip in 1969, when Patti Hogan and I reached the finals of the doubles and lost to Margaret Court and Judy Dalton, was the ultimate.
"But when Evonne and I won the doubles in 1974 I knew that my lifetime dream had come true. I still get goosebumps when I go back to Wimbledon and walk through the front gate."
Michel, who bizarrely never wore socks with her tennis shoes, treasured an array of dresses at each tournament.
"Today, the players wear the same outfit every day. If I lost in a certain dress, I simply got rid of that dress. Needless to say, my mother reminded me that dresses were expensive – and I was told to try not to lose too often!"
