Wimbledon 2021 Top Ten Moments – The Most Emotional Ever?
Wimbledon
July 19, 2021
Wimbledon 2021 was always going to be one of the most emotional and dramatic in the long history of The Championships.
And that’s exactly the way it turned out to be. There were tears and cheers all the way and they started even before the first match!
In reverse order, here are our top ten most memorable moments of Wimbledon 2021.
You will of course have your own favourites and it’s a very subjective selection.
But we hope you enjoy cherishing some memories to help sustain you until Wimbledon 2022!
10. An unlikely heroine receives a standing ovation on Centre Court.
Royalty and celebrities are never in short supply at Wimbledon and it was no different in 2021. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Prince William and his wife Kate), Tom Cruise and David Beckham were there. But of all those who graced the royal box it was a scientist, Dame Sarah Gilbert who received the biggest standing ovation on the opening day for her vital vaccine work. The applause went on forever, like a massive thank you for the drama to unfold.
9. Young Jack Draper takes a set off Novak Djokovic on Centre Court.
We could hardly believe our eyes as a young British star of the future called Jack Draper took a set off the seemingly invincible Novak Djokovic. No one knew much about Draper except that he was the talented son of former LTA Chief Executive Roger Draper. It turns out the boy can play. How Centre Court roared as the 19-year-old Draper won the first set! In the end an appreciative Djokovic stepped up a gear to take the match. But it was a marvellous contest.
8. Brit Neal Skupski wins the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles.
We knew there would be a British winner in the Mixed Doubles because there were three Brits in the final! Joe Salisbury and Harriet Dart were the home pair who finished as runners-up. But it was Liverpool lad Neal Skupski who ended up a Wimbledon winner along with his American partner Desirae Krawczyk. What an ideal way to celebrate the “special relationship.” We did predict a British doubles winner at Wimbledon 2021 and we weren’t wrong!
7. Serena Williams makes a dramatic Centre Court entrance and exit.
As the tennis queen of Wimbledon, Serena Williams made a fitting entrance onto Centre Court at Wimbledon 2021 with a flowing, removable train attached to her outfit. Sadly her body didn’t hold up against Aliaksandra Sasnovich and almost as soon as we were applauding Serena’s appearance, we rose to bid her a fond farewell. These were poignant moments indeed. Serena’s last time on Centre Court as a singles star? It could be. So these were unforgettable scenes.
6. Nick Kyrgios edges Ugo Humbert in a two-day thriller on No1 Court.
Great moments at Wimbledon aren’t confined to Centre Court and The Championships in 2021 were no exception. Nick Kyrgios is always big box office and his best moments were spread over two days because he and the talented Frenchman, Ugo Humbert couldn’t be separated on the first evening. Eventually the controversial Kyrgios thrilled the crowd with a 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 9-7 victory, completed the following day. What an epic! Typical Nick!
5. The return of the great Roger Federer to his spiritual home.
We had waited two years to welcome the world’s favourite, Roger Federer. What an ovation he received on Centre Court before he showed us the grace and artistry we had all so missed. But Federer’s opener was never going to be a foregone conclusion. Adrian Mannarino was also full of subtlety and athleticism and he rose to the occasion. Federer had the momentum at 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 3-6, 6-2 when the Frenchman slipped and retired hurt. What drama!
4. Ash Barty wins Wimbledon 50 years after Evonne Goolagong.
Ashleigh Barty is one of the world’s most popular players. She seems to have no ego. She doesn’t particularly enjoy stardom and always behaves like the girl next door. So everyone was thrilled to see Ash win Wimbledon ten years after she had taken the girls’ title. Barty beat Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 in a thrilling final. Then she remembered her Aussie inspiration, who first won Wimbledon in 1971. ‘I hope I made Evonne proud,’ said an emotional Ash.
3. New sensation Emma Raducanu beats Sorana Cirstea on No1 Court.
For many people, this will be the abiding memory from Wimbledon 2021. We didn’t expect much from the 18-year-old Emma Raducanu, a little-known Brit who had received a wild card into the tournament. But she played with her heart on her sleeve and she brought the crowd to their feet with her passionate cries of “come on!” More than that, Emma beat Cirstea 6-3, 7-5 to make the second week of Wimbledon! A star was born – Britain’s version of Coco Gauff.
2. Sir Andy Murray rolls back the years to win brilliantly on Centre Court.
Andy Murray hadn’t played at Wimbledon since 2017 and there were times when we wondered whether he ever would again. So to see him rolling back the years was such a delight. Murray wasn’t going to win Wimbledon for a third time. But he could definitely remind us what we had been missing! The second round was the highlight. His 6-3 ,4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Germany’s Oscar Otte was completed with magical trademark lobs. What a player. What a man!
1. Novak Djokovic makes history with his Wimbledon final victory over Matteo Berrettini.
If it’s history you love, this was the moment. There have been more dramatic finals, though the opening set was very special before Novak cruised to a momentous 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory. Berrettini, the dashing Italian will have more belief at Wimbledon 2022, you suspect. But Wimbledon 2021 belonged to Djokovic; to his supreme mental strength and physical defiance. Novak joined Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on twenty majors. Best ever? Probably!
And that completes our top ten! We hope we didn’t forget your own favourite moment but forgive us if we did. There were so many! Wasn’t it amazing?
You can be sure that Wimbledon 2022 will offer us just as many great moments to treasure. We are looking forward to it already. Want to book early and know you will be part of the fun, the history and glamour next summer?
Click here to secure your tickets to next year’s Championships.