1996 Wimbledon Championships

1996 Wimbledon Championships
Date:   24 June – 7 July
Edition:   110th
Category:   Grand Slam (ITF)
Location:   SW19, Wimbledon, London, England, United Kingdom
Champions
Men's Singles
Richard Krajicek
Women's Singles
Steffi Graf
Men's Doubles
Todd Woodbridge / Mark Woodforde
Women's Doubles
Martina Hingis / Helena Suková
Mixed Doubles
Helena Suková / Cyril Suk
Boys' Singles
Vladimir Voltchkov
Girls' Singles
Amélie Mauresmo
Boys' Doubles
Daniele Bracciali / Jocelyn Robichaud
Girls' Doubles
Olga Barabanschikova / Amélie Mauresmo
Gentlemen's Invitation Doubles
Wojciech Fibak / Tim Wilkison
Ladies' Invitation Doubles
Jo Durie / Anne Smith
Senior Gentlemen's Invitation Doubles
John Alexander / Sherwood Stewart
Wimbledon Championships
 < 1995 1997 > 

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.

Contents

Notable stories

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.[1]

When rain interrupted play on Centre Court on 3 July with a crowd that consisted of Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent and actress Joanna Lumley,[2] Richard was approached by court officials for an interview. They suggested that he sing a song or two to entertain the crowd[3]. 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".[1] Past tennis stars Virginia Wade, Martina Navrátilová, Hana Mandlíková, Pam Shriver, Gigi Fernández and Conchita Martínez were in the Royal Box and proceeded to join in as background singers.[1][2]

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.

Since a retractable roof was completed on Centre Court in 2009 such a performance is unlikely to happen again.[4]

Seniors

Men's Singles

Richard Krajicek defeated MaliVai Washington 6–3, 6–4, 6–3

Women's Singles

Steffi Graf defeated Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 6–3, 7–5

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

Mixed Doubles

Helena Suková / Cyril Suk defeated Larisa Neiland / Mark Woodforde 1–6, 6–3, 6–2

Juniors

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

Other events

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

References

External links

Preceded by
1996 French Open
Grand Slams Succeeded by
1996 US Open