Becker and Edberg Roll Back the Years
http://www.stellaartoistennis.com/newsstories/03edberg_becker2.asp
Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg rolled back the years as the two former
champions took to the courts to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the
Stells Artois Championships.
Following the singles final between Andy Roddick and Sebastien Grosjean,
the two legends delighted a packed Centre Court crowd with their trademark
serve and volley games in a professional set, which Becker won 8-6.
Becker, the four-time Stella Artois champion in 1985, '87-88 and '96,
defeated Edberg in two of those finals and won their last competitive
match at The Queen's Club in the final in 1996.
Edberg, looking the same today as he did when he won his six Grand Slam
titles in the 80s and early 90s, came back from a break of serve down to
level at 4-4, before double faulting on match point to hand victory to his
old foe, who won 25 of their 35 professional meetings.
Both players delighted the crowd with their sublime touch and feel around
the net, and the old familiar shots - the boom boom serve of Becker and the
legendary Edberg backhand - were still there for all to see.
"The Stella Artois was a big part of my life," said Becker. "My first victory
was here 18 years ago believe it or not. I remember my parents flying in
without me knowing to watch my final against Johan Kriek.
"I'd like to thank Stefan for coming out of 'retirement' to play against me.
I beat him here, but it's at Wimbledon where he always seemed to beat me."
Edberg, who defeated Becker in two Wimbledon finals in 1988 and 1990 but
lost to him the year in between, said: "It's been great coming back. I have
a lot of great memories of playing here and it's great to be playing Boris
again."
When asked in a joint press conference earlier in the morning what they
think the grass courts are any slower today than they were in their primes,
Edberg replied: "We're definitely slower, that's for sure."
Watching the two again on Centre Court, no one would have believed it.
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