The International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) today announced that it is giving tennis fans the opportunity to revisit, debate, and weigh in on some of the sport’s most impactful moments in the Tennis History vote.
As part of the campaign, voters in the United States will have a chance to win a trip to ITHF’s Enshrinement Weekend, to be held July 15-17 in Newport.
Voting will begin on April 15 and continue until April 30, when fans will have the opportunity to make the most of the five intriguing categories: Most Epic Rivalry, Best Cinderella Story, Best Comeback Within a Match, Most Iconic Celebration, and Best Moment of National Pride.
The categories and corresponding nominees were decided by a panelist of tennis experts, journalists, and historians, including Hall of Famer Steve Flink, ITHF Historian-at-Large Joel Drucker, and ITHF Emerging Leaders Council Representative Nina Pantic.
Spanning seven years of tennis history, each of the eight nominees in the lineup includes some of tennis’ most memorable moments and significant feats. Voters will be able to relive their favorite moments from the Hall of Famers and other legends in recent years to honor those achievements.
Iconic Moments from Winning Nominees Tennis History vote will be recognized at the ITHF Museum and online at tennisfame.com.
When voting, fans based in the United States can opt to enter the 2022 Enshrinement Weekend sweepstakes. The winners will join the inductee Lleyton Hewitt of Australia for three days of exclusive access to in-person events. Hewitt, a Wimbledon champion, US Open champion, and the youngest man to ever win the world No.1 ranking, will receive tennis’ ultimate honor, induction into ITHF, on Saturday, July 16.
The winners will join Tennis’ biggest fans, supporters, and legends for a once-in-a-lifetime experience including a weekend at The Elms Mansion on Friday, Saturday’s Induction Ceremony, The Enshrinement Reception presented by Infosys, and The Infosys Hall of Fame Open on Saturday and Sunday. Included in the sweepstakes are two nights’ lodging in the heart of Newport.
Fans can view the nominees, vote, and opt-in for the sweepstakes at tennisfame.com/vote, and are casting ballots on Twitter at @tennishallofame.
2022 Iconic Moments in Tennis History Fan Vote Categories & Nominees
Most Epic Rivalry
- Jimmy Connors vs. John McEnroe vs. Bjorn Borg
- Rafael Nadal Vs. Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic
- Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova
- Steff Graf vs. Monica Seles
- Pete Sampras Vs. Andre Agassi
- Billie Jean King vs. Margaret Court
- Rod Laver vs. Ken Rosewall
- Venus Williams vs. Serena Williams
Best Cinderella Story
- Goran Ivanisevic, 2001 Wimbledon
- Emma Raducanu, 2021 US Open
- Kim Clijsters, 2009 US Open
- Mats Wilander, 1982 Roland-Garros
- Guga Kuerten, 1997 Roland-Garros
- Pete Sampras, 1990 US Open
- Serena Williams, 1999 US Open
- Michael Chang, 1989 Roland-Garros
Best Comeback Within a Match
- Rafael Nadal d. Daniil Medvedev, 2022 Australian Open Final
- Jennifer Capriati d. Martina Hingis, 2002 Australian Open Final
- Mary Joe Fernandez d. Gabriela Sabatini, 1993 Roland-Garros Quarterfinal
- Manuel Orantes d. Guillermo Vilas, 1975 US Open Semifinal
- Chanda Rubin d. Jana Novotna, 1995 Roland-Garros Third Round
- Jimmy Connors d. Mikael Pernfors, 1987 Wimbledon Fourth Round
- Pancho Gonzales d. Charlie Pasarell, 1969 Wimbledon First Round
- Pete Sampras d. Jim Courier, 1995 Australian Open Quarterfinals
Most Iconic Celebration
- Pat Cash’s Champion’s Climb, 1987 Wimbledon
- Kim Clijsters and daughter Jada on court, 2009 US Open
- Clay in Guga Kuerten Drawing a Heart, 2001 Roland-Garros
- Jimmy Connors’ fist pump vs. Aaron Krickstein, 1991 US Open
- Jim Courier diving into the Yarra River, 1992 & 1993 Australian Open
- Petr Korda and Korda Family’s scissor kick
- The 2010 championship following the Serbian Davis Cup team’s shaving heads
- The Sexes of the Battle following Billie Jean King’s racquet toss
National Pride of Best Moment
- Ashleigh Barty, 2022 Australian Open
- Goran Ivanisevic, 2001 Wimbledon
- Althea Gibson, 1957 Wimbledon
- Andy Murray, 2013 Wimbledon
- Virginia Wade, 1977 Wimbledon
- Li Na, 2011. Roland-Garros
- Maria Bueno, 1959 Wimbledon
- David Hall, 2000 Sydney Paralympics