Date 24 June - 7 July Category Grand Slam (ITF) | Edition 110th Surface Grass | |
Location Church Road
SW19, Wimbledon,
London, United Kingdom | ||
The 1996 Wimbledon Championships was a tennis tournament played on grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon in London in England. It was the 110th edition of the Wimbledon Championships and was held from 24 June to 7 July 1996.
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Cliff Richard's impromptu concert
That year was best remembered for an impromptu performance staged by Cliff Richard, who was watching from the royal box.
When rain interrupted play on Centre Court on 3 July with a crowd that included Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent and actress Joanna Lumley, Richard was approached by court officials for an interview. They suggested that he sing a song or two to entertain the crowd. With approval from his PR manager Cliff proceeded to start the performance, starting with Singin' in the Rain.
The performance ran for twenty minutes and consisted of Richard's classic hits such as Living Doll and Congratulations, as well as the Elvis Presley hit "All Shook Up". Past tennis stars Virginia Wade, Martina Navratilova, Hana Mandlíková, Pam Shriver, Liz Smylie, Gigi Fernández and Conchita Martínez were in the Royal Box and proceeded to join in as background singers.
Richard was not aware that his performance was televised by the BBC, and after six songs presenter Des Lynam jokingly claimed "we'll probably get one hell of a bill." The performance made the front pages in many major British newspapers on the following day.
That 1996 Wimbledon will also be remembered for a prior performance during the entrance of the court staff for the Men's Singles Final which included 23 year old Melissa Johnson, who was nearly nude. Johnson had been working at a Wimbledon pizza stand, so she kept the white server's apron, which she lifted during her proper curtsey to the Royal Box, thus proudly exposing her in all her glory. The Duke of Kent laughed as did Krajicek and Washington & crowd. Johnson bowed and ran into the arms of a policeman, thus ending her few minutes of fame.
Since a retractable roof was completed on Centre Court in 2009 such a performance is unlikely to happen again.
Men's singles
Richard Krajicek defeated MaliVai Washington, 6–3, 6–4, 6–3
• It was Krajicek's 1st and only career Grand Slam singles title. He became the first Dutchman to win a Grand Slam singles title and the first Dutch singles winner since Kea Bouman in 1926.Women's singles
Steffi Graf defeated Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, 6–3, 7–5
• It was Graf's 20th career Grand Slam singles title and her 7th and last title at Wimbledon.Men's doubles
Todd Woodbridge / Mark Woodforde defeated Byron Black / Grant Connell, 4–6, 6–1, 6–3, 6–2
Women's doubles
Martina Hingis / Helena Suková defeated Meredith McGrath / Larisa Neiland, 5–7, 7–5, 6–1
• It was Hingis' 1st career Grand Slam doubles title. • It was Suková's 9th and last career Grand Slam doubles title and her 4th title at Wimbledon.Mixed doubles
Helena Suková / Cyril Suk defeated Larisa Neiland / Mark Woodforde, 1–6, 6–3, 6–2
• It was Suková's 4th career Grand Slam mixed doubles title and her 2nd title at Wimbledon. • It was Suk's 3rd career Grand Slam mixed doubles title and his 2nd title at Wimbledon.Boys' Singles
Vladimir Voltchkov defeated Ivan Ljubičić 3–6, 6–2, 6–3
Girls' Singles
Amélie Mauresmo defeated Magüi Serna 4–6, 6–3, 6–4
Boys' Doubles
Daniele Bracciali / Jocelyn Robichaud defeated Damien Roberts / Wesley Whitehouse 6–2, 6–4
Girls' Doubles
Olga Barabanschikova / Amélie Mauresmo defeated Lilia Osterloh / Samantha Reeves 5–7, 6–3, 6–1
Gentlemen's Invitation Doubles
Wojciech Fibak / Tim Wilkison defeated Pavel Složil / Tomáš Šmíd 6–2, 5–7, 6–1
Ladies' Invitation Doubles
Jo Durie / Anne Smith defeated Mima Jaušovec / Yvonne Vermaak 6–3, 6–2
Senior Gentlemen's Invitation Doubles
John Alexander / Phil Dent defeated Marty Riessen / Sherwood Stewart 7–6, 6–2