2001 Wimbledon - Best Championship of the Open Era
2 001 Wimbledon has gone down as one of the greatest championships in the Open era and Grand Slam history. There was great drama throughout, and great weather up until semifinals day, when the tension reached unbearable levels, climaxing with the incredible and unprecedented “people’s final” which took place on the 3rd Monday. The final between Goran Ivanisevic and Pat Rafter will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it, watched it on television or listened to it on the radio. What set up this particular Wimbledon to be one of the greatest tournaments was the dramatic defeat of Pete Sampras by Roger Federer in the 4th round on the 2nd Monday. Sampras went into the event without a tournament win for a year, but was still defending champion and number 1 seed. It was an almighty close battle which Federer edged 7:5 in the fifth set. The defeat was hugely significant because it gave the remaining players a lift that they had a ch...