January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.

'It might not be Wimbledon, but it will sure be fun'


By James [email protected] | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Last time Wendy Turnbull visited Bermuda she had just won her first Grand Slam doubles title at Wimbledon and was looking for a well-deserved break from the sport - relaxing at Elbow Beach.

Almost 30 years, eight more Grand Slam doubles titles and three singles finals later, she is returning to the same resort along with an entourage of former pros and celebrities for the tennis classic. Next to Virginia Wade and boxer Laila Ali, the name of Wendy Turnbull will probably not register as high on the 'recognition scale' for next month's event. But the 53-year-old Aussie is a star in her own right. And as she tells us, here, she has had a pretty interesting career.

Will this be your first visit to Bermuda?

Wendy Turnbull: I have been to Bermuda once before and I hate to say it was way back in 1978. I'd won the ladies doubles at Wimbledon and had a pretty hectic year so I didn't play any tennis. I just wanted to take a break for a few days. I had a ride around on the moped but I didn't even get to snorkel as it rained on the day I planned to go.

I'll be over for a week so hopefully I'll get to see some of the island and play some golf, which is something I do a lot now. I'll definitely do some snorkeling this time and of course, play tennis, which is still my first love.

What do you know about the Classic and why did you want to be involved?

WT: The tournament helps the junior players go overseas and compete against the top players in the Caribbean which is great.

I know how difficult it can be to break through, I came from a middle class family in Australia and I had three brothers and three sisters. I had to work in a bank for a couple of years to pay my own way on the tour.

Tennis has changed so much since then - I didn't start traveling until I was 19.

I remember when players used to come from overseas to Australia we would think they were so much better because they were from 'overseas' but when you played against them you realized they are just kids like you.

You're renowned for your doubles success. Where you a specialist in that form of the game?

WT: Sometimes I think my doubles success overshadows my singles career. I was ranked in the top ten in singles for a long time and lost in three Grand Slam finals - The U.S., the French and the Australian Open.

That said, the titles that I did win were ladies doubles and mixed doubles and I did enjoy playing that form of the game.

I love playing tennis and the grand slams are where you try to excel.

What's your most memorable moment in tennis?

WT: I still remember my first win at Wimbledon (in 1978). It's always such a thrill to play there. I can remember it so well, I won it with Kerry Reid, who was another Australian, and we were jumping up and down and I actually hit her with the racket,

We went out celebrating and she had a big fat lip. Of course, after that we had a taste for it and just wanted more. My first Wimbledon was 1972 and I've played there every year since, more recently in the over-35 events. I've played 35 consecutive years.

What do you think is the most important advice you can give to young players?

WT: I'm one of those people who likes talking to the kids about my personal experience. I didn't have a huge game but once I started to believe in myself my game turned around.

I was playing team tennis for the Cleveland Nets with Bjorn Borg and I was up against people like Virginia Wade and Chris Evert and I was coming close to beating them but losing by the odd point each time.

My coach told me 'you can beat these girls, you've just got to believe you can do it'.

After that I got into the top ten and stayed there. I'm a big believer in the power of positive thinking. You're playing the ball that comes over the net and it doesn't have a name on it. You can't be in awe of your opponent.

Who was the toughest player you came up against?

WT: My toughest opponent was Chris Evert. She was so strong mentally. I didn't really like playing her game.

I liked to attack and come to the net and she had fantastic passing shots.

We were pretty good friends, I was a bridesmaid at her second wedding. I think when you have a friendship like that one player always has the advantage.

I actually had more success against Martina Navratalova, who liked to come to the net.

Although Steffi Graff won more titles, for them both to win 18 and to be playing at the same time was amazing.

How well do you know your fellow Classic stars?

WT: I'm pleased Hana Mandlikova and Virginia Wade are coming.

Hannah actually lives about ten minutes away from me in Florida. We used to play together on the tour and are pretty good mates.

Whenever I'm in New York I play against Virginia and we've actually won a few doubles titles together on the over-35s tour.

It will be good to be over in Bermuda with them.

Is the rivalry still there?

WT: We are not playing for a Wimbledon title here, so the important thing is to make it fun for everybody. Hopefully we'll have some good, fun tennis. That's what exhibitions like these are all about.[[In-content Ad]]

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