Wimbledon 2007 on the 91Èȱ¬
The 91Èȱ¬ team – part 2
Tracy Austin
Ìý
Tracy Austin received her first tennis lesson at age two and appeared on the cover of World Tennis at four. After winning 25 national titles as a junior, Austin launched her professional career by winning the first tournament she entered (Filderstadt, Germany, 1978) as a pro. Triumphs over Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova produced two US Open crowns for Austin. In 1978, she broke Navratilova's 37-match winning streak and, in the 1979 Italian Open, she broke Evert’s 125-match clay court winning streak.
Ìý
Her incredibly consistent record earned her celebrity status and world wide recognition. She became the youngest person to become No.1 in the world in 1980 at age 17. Tracy represented the USA on winning Federation Cup and Wightman Cup team. When forced to the sidelines in the mid Eighties, she translated her on-court experience into a successful broadcasting career.
Ìý
John Lloyd
Ìý
In reaching the final of the 1977 Australian Open, John Lloyd became the first Englishman to reach a singles final of a Grand Slam in the Open Era. In the following year he achieved his highest ranking when he finished at Number 21.
Ìý
That year, John led an inspired British team to its most recent Davis Cup final where they were defeated by the US. During his career he compiled three Grand Slam titles in mixed doubles, all with partner Wendy Turnbull including back-to-back victories at Wimbledon in '83 and '84.
Ìý
He now continues to provide the mix of class and competitive fire that has made him one of the most popular players on the senior circuit. In August 2006, Lloyd was appointed GB Davis Cup Captain.
Ìý
Mark Petchey
Ìý
Mark represented Great Britain in the Davis Cup eleven times, the European Cup four times and has played in all four Grand Slam events. In 1996 Petchey reached a career high World Ranking of 80 and during that year was the highest ranked British player on the world list. He retired from full time tennis in August 1998.
Ìý
In July 2005 Petchey resigned as the Men's National Manager in order to work as Andy Murray's full time coach. During the nine months Petchey spent with Murray the Scottish teenager rose from a World Ranking of 357 to 41 and also won his first ATP title in San Jose.
Ìý
Andrew Castle
Ìý
Andrew Castle is a former British No 1 with many Davis and European Cup campaigns behind him. He is also a double Olympian having played in Seoul and Barcelona.
Ìý
Andrew is the main presenter of GMTV and is married with two daughters.
Ìý
David Mercer
Ìý
Swansea-born David entered sports broadcasting as a freelance via 91Èȱ¬ Wales in 1979 and joined 91Èȱ¬ Radio Sport in London on a full-time basis in 1984. He joined the 91Èȱ¬ Television commentary team in 1992.
Ìý
Tennis has been his main sport since then, but he has also commentated and reported on football, rugby union, rowing, skiing, skating, badminton, snooker, squash, ice hockey and American football.
Ìý
David, a former solicitor, was Welsh Junior Doubles champion in 1968, captained the tennis team at Nottingham University in 1969 and umpired the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final in 1984.
Ìý
Peter Fleming
Ìý
Peter teamed up with John McEnroe to form the most formidable doubles partnership in the men's game during the 80s. The pair won the Wimbledon men's doubles title in 1979, 1981, 1983 and 1984 and took the US Open doubles crown in 1979, 1981 and 1983. In total, Fleming and McEnroe took 57 doubles titles. Fleming also reached a career high No 8 in the world's singles rankings.
Ìý
Barry Davies
Ìý
One of the 91Èȱ¬'s most versatile commentators, Barry joined 91Èȱ¬ Radio in 1963 after leaving the Army. He was part of ITV's commentary team for the 1966 World Cup Finals and reported for ITV on the 1968 Olympics.
Ìý
Barry rejoined the 91Èȱ¬ in 1969 and has worked on a succession of World Cups, Summer and Winter Olympics and Commonwealth Games, plus numerous Wimbledon Championships and Boat Races. Barry also commentates on ice skating, ice hockey and badminton.
Ìý
Chris Bradnam
Ìý
A former Junior and Senior National Tennis Singles & Doubles Champion of Great Britain, Chris also represented GB at Junior and Senior Levels and played the pro tour from 1974 – 1983, including the Grand Slam tournaments
Ìý
Chris added broadcasting to his list of achievements in 1994 and is also a member of the 91Èȱ¬'s Davis Cup commentary team. Additionally, Chris has commentated for NBC, CNBC, Wire TV and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and earlier this year performed the dual roles of commentator and court-side interviewer at the prestigious Dubai Tennis Championships. Chris is currently the Head Tennis Professional at a north London tennis club with 2000 members.
Ìý
Mark Cox
Ìý
Mark's finest hour as a player was as a member of the Great Britain team which reached the final of the 1978 Davis Cup against the USA. In the semi-final against Australia, he partnered David Lloyd to victory in the deciding doubles rubber.
Ìý
Mark won 10 singles tournaments between 1970 and 1977, was twice a quarter-finalist in the Australian Open, reached the quarter-finals of the US Open in 1966, and was runner-up at Queen's in 1977.
Ìý
Simon Reed
Ìý
Simon's career began with 91Èȱ¬ Radio in the late sixties when he worked for 91Èȱ¬ Radio Sport, 91Èȱ¬ World Service and 91Èȱ¬ Radio London. From 1973, he was a presenter and reporter for Thames TV. Simon’s career as a tennis commentator began with Channel 4 in 1984, and he also freelanced for Sky and Eurosport.
Ìý
In 1995, he became Head of Commentators for Eurosport specialising in tennis. In 2002, Simon commentated for 91Èȱ¬ TV at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. He has commentated on the last six Wimbledon Championships for 91Èȱ¬ TV.
Ìý
Printable version