Most Iconic Celebration: Iconic Moments in Tennis History
Nothing is more appealing to audiences than witnessing players responding to victories with spontaneity and originality on particularly auspicious occasions. Great competitors have celebrated differently but they share the joy of signature achievements, as the following list affirms.
What do you think is the most iconic celebration in tennis history?
And the Nominees Are...
Pat Cash: The Champions Climb, Wimbledon 1987
Defeating World No. 1 Ivan Lendl in straight sets to claim the 1987 Wimbledon Singles championship, the brazen Aussie Pat Cash did what no person did before—he scaled the Centre Court architecture with at least a 30 foot drop to climb into the box to celebrate with his family and friends.
Kim Clijsters and daughter Jada on court, US Open 2009
In 2009, Belgian Kim Clijsters won her second US Open title, only months after coming out of retirement. Clijsters, the first mother in 29 years to win a Grand Slam title, welcomed her toddler Jada to the court to hold the trophy and celebrate her remarkable victory.
Guga Kuerten: I Heart Roland-Garros, 2001
Brazilian Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten, the two-time French Open Champion, who always played with his heart and was loved by fans around the globe, showed his love for tennis in 2001 when he drew a heart in the clay with his racquet after coming back from two sets down to win his 4th round match.
Jimmy Connors Fist Pump vs. Aaron Krickstein, 1991 US Open
As every spectator present each year at the US Open can attest, rain delays are not enjoyable. However, rain means reliving the time in 1991 when a 39 year old Jimmy Connors—ranked 174 and in the event as a wildcard—refused to surrender before the energetic crowd and defeated Aaron Krickstein.
Jim Courier diving into the Yarra River, 1992 Australian Open
After winning the 1992 Australian Open, Jim Courier chose an unorthodox way to celebrate. Unbeknownst to others, he had decided to dive in the Yarra River if he won. When he won again in 1993, the press was ready, and Courier did not disappoint—though that plunge left him with a stomach virus.
Petr Korda and the Korda Family scissor kick, 1998 Australian Open
Czech Petr Korda celebrated his triumphs, including a 1998 Australian Open title, with unforgettable scissor kicks and cartwheels. Decades later, Korda’s children—Jessica, Sebastian, and Nelly—champions in professional tennis and golf tournaments, continued the Korda scissor kick tradition.
Novak Djokovic and Serbian teammates shave heads, 2010 Davis Cup
Minutes after winning the 2010 Davis Cup championship title, the Serbian Davis Cup team kept their promise to partake in an epic team wide shave. In Belgrade Arena, in front of thousands of adoring fans, team members, including Novak Djokovic, lined up for the collective head shave.
Billie Jean King's racquet toss after the Battle of the Sexes, 1973
On the night of September 20, 1973, at the Houston Astrodome, Billie Jean King played Bobby Riggs in the celebrated Battle of the Sexes. King defeated Riggs in a straight-set spectacle in front of a record-breaking television prime-time viewing audience and more than 30,400 in-person spectators.
