In most of the sporting games, there is always a chance of big upsets happening, whereby some unknown name or team comes into prominence. In the recently concluded US Open Tennis grand slam tournament, there were many upsets. In the men’s section everyone was thinking that Novak Djokovic will win his record 21st grand slam title and in the process, he will complete the calendar year grand slam also, and he reached the final, but the surprise of surprise he lost to Daniil Medvedev in 3 straight sets. In the women section it was upset galore as none of the seeded players reached the finals, and it was left to two unseeded players to contest the finals, and here also there was a big surprise when a player ranked 150th in the world and who came to the main tournament after playing three qualifying rounds won the finals. This was the first time a player who had qualified to play the grand slam tournament went on to win the grand slam finals.
Given below of some instances where an unknown player of that time won the grand slam tournament;
1 EMMA RADUCANU
What she did: She won US Open in 2021
Why it was astonishing: In only her second grand slam tournament event and ranked 150, the 18-year-old won 10 matches (3 qualifyings and 7 main draws) without dropping a set to become the first qualifier ever to win a grand slam title and the first British woman to win a grand slam title since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977.
2 GORAN IVANISEVIC
What he did: won Wimbledon in 2001
Why it was astonishing: Three times runner up, he was thought to be a spent force, and with a ranking of 125, he needed a wild card even to play at Wimbledon, At the odds of 150-1, he was given little chance but he proceeded to rip Pat Rafter in one of the most memorable finals of all time.
3 BORIS BECKER
What he did: Won Wimbledon in 1985
Why it was astonishing: Though Becker had won the title at Queen’s Club tournament, he was unseeded at Wimbledon, and at the age of 17, few gave him chance to come through a field that included Jimmy Connors & John McEnroe. But with both Americans beaten by Kevin Curren, Becker stormed into the final and he beat Kevin Curren to win his first Wimbledon title, he later won 2 more titles at Wimbledon.
4 IGA SWIATEK
What she did: Won the French Open in 2020.
Why it was astonishing: Though she had shown immense promise as a junior, winning the girl’s title at Wimbledon, the Polish player was not fancied for the Roland- Garros title and was ranked 54 at that time. But she took out former champion Simona Halep early on and then ripped through the draw, not dropping a set on her way to the first Grand Slam, and title of any kind.
5 GUSTAVO KUERTEN
What he did: Won French Open in 1997.
Why it was astonishing: No Brazilian player had won a Grand Alam title for more than 30 years before a young 21 years old Gustavo rocked up in Paris and duly won the title. His stylish one-handed backhand caused mayhem on the court, as world no. 66 triumphed in just his third Grand Alam tournament. He won two more French Open titles and even reached world no. 1.
6 MARK EDMONDSON
What he did: Won Australian Open in 1976
Why it was astonishing: He had never been past the second round of a slam and was ranked no. 212, when the 1976 tournament began. He beat veteran Ken Rosewell in the semi-finals but few gave him a chance of beating John Newcombe in the final, only for him to come from behind and win in 4 sets.
7 BARBORA KREJCIKOVA
What she did: Won French Open in 2021
Why it was astonishing: Like Iga Swiatek in 2020, Barbora was unseeded at French Open. She had the world ranking of 33, she was better known as a doubles player but she found her way in singles on the biggest stage , and she beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia to win her first grand slam title.
8 MICHAEL CHANG
What he did: Won the French Open in 1989.
Why it was astonishing: Though Chang was no. 15 seed, he was only 17 and the previous year had been hammered by John McEnroe in the third round. One year on, everything was different and Chang stunned Ivan Lendl-despite cramps-famously using an underarm serve and then upset Stefan Edberg in the final to become the youngest man to win the grand slam.
9 FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE
What she did: Won French Open in 2010.
Why it was astonishing: The Italian had never been past the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam event before. Seeded no. 17, she produced a series of brilliant performances, slicing and dicing on the clay at Rolland Garros to win her only Grand Slam title.
10 THOMAS JOHANSSON
What he did: Won Australian Open in 2002.
Why it was astonishing: He was no. 16 seed but had never gone beyond the third round in seven previous appearances. Yes, with favorite Andre Agassi pulling out through injury and the likes of Pete Sampras, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, and Lleyton Hewitt going out early, the draw opened up. Still, the Sweed had to face Marat Safin in the final but he pulled off a surprise win in four sets for the outstanding moment in his career.
Above were a few players who brought a surprise victory, some of them reached further heights and for others, this one win was the golden moment of the career.
Waiting for your comments on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
17th September 2021