The International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) announced today that it is giving tennis fans around the world the opportunity to revisit, debate and weigh into some of the sport’s most influential moments during the Iconic Moments in Tennis History poll.
As part of the campaign, voters in the United States will have the opportunity to participate to win a trip for two to the ITHF’s Enshrinement Weekend, which will be held 15-17. July in Newport.
Voting begins on April 15 and continues until April 30, when fans will have the opportunity to make choices in five exciting categories: Most Epic Rivalry, Best Cinderella Story, Best Comeback in a Match, Most Iconic Party and Best Moment of National Pride.
The categories and the 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.
The series of eight nominees in each category, spanning seven decades of tennis history, includes some of tennis’ most memorable moments and significant accomplishments. Voters will be able to relive their favorite moments from the Hall of Famers and other legends in the sport while comparing these achievements to recent achievements.
Winning nominees from the Iconic Moments in Tennis History poll will be recognized with a unique exhibit that visitors can experience in person at the ITHF Museum and online at tennisfame.com.
When they vote, U.S.-based fans can choose to participate in the 2022 Enshrinement Weekend sweepstakes. The winners will take part in the festivities for the inmate Lleyton Hewitt from Australia with exclusive access to personal events over three days. Hewitt, a Wimbledon champion, US Open champion and the youngest man to ever reach the world rankings as No. 1, will receive tennis’ ultimate honors, admission to the ITHF, on Saturday 16 July.
Winners will join tennis’s biggest fans, supporters and legends for unique experiences over the weekend, including the opening tribute dinner at The Elms Palace on Friday, Saturday’s introductory ceremony, the Enshrinement reception presented by Infosys and the semi-finals and finals of the Infosys Hall of Fame Open on Saturday. Sunday. Included in the draw is two nights accommodation in the heart of Newport.
Fans can see the nominees, vote and sign up for the draw at tennisfame.com/vote and are encouraged to vote on Twitter by engaging with the ITHF at @tennishallofame.
2022 Iconic moments in tennis history Categories and nominated fans vote
Most epic rivalry
- Jimmy Connors Vs. John McEnroe vs. Bjørn 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 in a match
- Rafael Nadal vs. Daniil Medvedev, Australian Open Final 2022
- 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 party
- Pat Cash’s Champion’s Climb, 1987 Wimbledon
- Kim Clijsters and daughter Jada on the court, 2009 US Open
- Guga Kuerten draws a heart in clay, 2001 Roland-Garros
- Jimmy Connors’ fist pump vs. Aaron Krickstein, 1991 US Open
- Jim Courier dives into the Yarra River, 1992 & 1993 Australian Open
- Petr Korda and Korda Family’s scissor kick
- The Serbian Davis Cup team shaved their heads after the 2010 championship
- Billie Jean King’s racket throw after Battle of the Sexes
Best Moment of National Pride
- Ashleigh Barty, Australian Open 2022
- Goran Ivanisevic, 2001 Wimbledon
- Althea Gibson, 1957 Wimbledon
- Andy Murray, Wimbledon 2013
- Virginia Wade, 1977 Wimbledon
- Li Na, 2011 Roland-Garros
- Maria Bueno, 1959 Wimbledon
- David Hall, 2000 Sydney Paralympics