Top five instances when tennis underdogs performed exceptionally well and defeated their opponents by huge margins
The rich history of tennis has witnessed numerous instances when underdogs who lacked high rankings, star-studded records and prominent sponsors performed exceptionally well, defeated opponents by huge margins and shocked the whole tennis world. From batting through prolonged injuries to making formidable comebacks after years, the underdogs of tennis have continued to inject an unparalleled streak of energy, unending passion and nerve-wracking competitive spirit into the game. Without much ado, let’s take a closer look at a few such underdogs who came in unannounced and dominated their opponents off-guard to establish their dominance on the tennis court.
In this article we will take a look at the top five incidents where underdogs outperformed the greats and shocked everyone.
Top 5 Incidents where Underdogs Shocked the Tennis World
Boris Becker Won Wimbledon in 1985
Boris Becker’s triumph at Wimbledon in 1985 continues to be one of the biggest and most iconic underdog stories in the world of tennis. At the young age of seventeen, the German tennis player Boris Becker disrupted the hierarchy of seasoned professional tennis players with years of Grand Slam experience and clinched the coveted title. Although an underdog on the professional tennis circuit, Boris Becker’s “all or nothing” approach and his aggressive style of playing against veteran opponents garnered him instant fame and praise from across the world. The final showdown at Wimbledon 1985 between Boris Becker and Kevin Curren witnessed Becker clinch the match with a score line of 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4.
Goran Ivanisevic Won the 2001 Wimbledon
Legendary Croatian former professional tennis player Goran Ivanisevic made history as an underdog who showed up at Wimbledon 2001 as a wildcard and ended up clinching the title after defeating the greatest of players in the league. At that time, Goran Ivanisevic was ranked at No. 125 in the world ranking list and was considered far away from being the top seed at the prestigious tournament. However, the underdog, who had previously appeared in three Wimbledon seasons in 1992, 1994 and 1998 but ended up suffering heartbreaking losses each time, fearlessly fought through the odds and captured the glorious title after a decade of close calls. In the finals of Wimbledon 2001 against Patrick Rafter, the Croatian underdog served a brilliant 27 aces and clinched the intense five-set match with a score line of 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7.
Robin Soderling’s Fearless Triumph at the 2009 French Open
Well, although Robin Soderling failed to clinch the 2009 French Open against Roger Federer, the Swedish former professional tennis player succeeded in making his mark as a lethal underdog after he defeated the legendary defending champion of the French Open, Rafael Nadal. Robin Soderling disrupted Nadal’s uninterrupted winning streak of thirty-one consecutive matches and defeated the “King of Clay” in a four-set match with a score line of 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6. Although Robin Soderling couldn’t live his dream of clinching the coveted 2009 French Open title, his fearless playing approach against Rafael Nadal undoubtedly improved his rankings and also glorified his stature as one of the most fierce underdogs in the Grand Slam.
Naomi Osaka Won the 2018 U.S. Open
The intense rivalry between Naomi Osaka and legendary tennis player Serena Williams at the 2018 U.S. Open is still hailed as one of the most thrilling and nail-biting encounters in the history of the Grand Slam. Naomi Osaka was considered to be comparatively inexperienced against the seasoned veteran Serena Williams who had a record total of twenty-three grand slam titles under her name. While the majority of the crowd was cheering for Serena Williams, the Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka proved to be one of the most daring and fierce underdogs that the history of the Grand Slam had ever witnessed. Naomi Osaka defeated the defending champion with a score line of 6-2, 6-4 and shocked the fans on both sides with her powerful serves and unshrinking approach.
Emma Raducanu Won the 2021 U.S. Open
Emma Raducanu entered the 2021 U.S. Open with a world ranking of No. 125 and, therefore, wasn’t considered to be a serious contender by a majority of veteran tennis players in the tournament. However, the eighteen-year-old tennis stalwart proved to be an underdog who uncontrollably defeated the high-ranked players including Maria Sakkari and Leylah Fernandez throughout the tournament. Emma Raducanu did not lose even a single set in ten matches that she played at the 2021 U.S. Open, speaking volumes about her dominance on the tennis court. Emma Raducanu made history for being the first British woman tennis player to clinch the Grand Slam title after Virginia Wade in 1977.
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