People involved: Jim Courier and Stefan Edberg
- Jim Courier, American Rising Star
Born in 1970, Jim Courier was one of many players who developed at Nick Bollettieri’s tennis academy in the 1980s. He developed a rather unorthodox game using Western grips and a short backswing that was often compared to a baseball swing to match his trademark hat. His big serve and inside-out forehand were his favorite strokes, and he was known for his work ethic, dedication and fitness. He was part of the American Big Four that made a big impression on the tour; Andre Agassi, who was in the top 10 in 1988, Michael Chang, who had already won Roland Garros, and Pete Sampras. Courier’s best finish so far was fourth at the French Open after defeating world No. 5 Agassi (7-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2).
- Stefan Edberg. Sensational Swede
Stefan Edberg was born in 1966. Having great success in junior tournaments (he won a junior Grand Slam in 1983), he almost quit tennis that same year, at age 17, after one of his serves accidentally killed a line umpire in New York. He continued and probably did not regret it. It was in December 1985, a few months after a young Boris Becker won Wimbledon, that Stefan Edberg won his first Grand Slam, also on grass, at the Australian Open, defeating Sweden’s Mats Wilander (6-4, 6-3, 6-3) in the final.
The tournament was not played in 1986 due to an uncertain date change, and Edberg successfully defended his title in January 1987, defeating Austrian favorite Pat Cash (6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3). In 1988, he added to his achievements the Wimbledon title, defeating Boris Becker (4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2) in the final, which started one of the most famous rivalries in tennis history. In 1989, Stefan Edberg lost confidence after losing two majors in a row; the first at Roland Garros, losing to Michael Chang (6-1, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2) in a heartbreaker in which he conceded 10 break points in the fourth set, and the second, where Beauval rematched his previous Babledon. final of the year (6-0, 7-6, 6-4). The Swede lost in the finals of two other major events that year, only winning in Tokyo (defeating Ivan Lendl (6-3, 2-6, 6-4) in the final).
Venue: Halle Saint-Jacques
Founded in 1970, the Swiss Indoors Open became a prestigious event in 1977 when it became part of the Grand Prix circuit. The champion that year was the great Björn Borg himself. In the 1980s, the prize money increased almost every year, attracting the best players in the world. The tournament was won by such stars as Ivan Lendl (1980, 1981), Yannick Noah (1982, 1987) and Stefan Edberg (1985, 1986, 1988). The event took place in the Halle Saint-Jacques, an indoor hall designed for 9,000 spectators.
Facts: Courier pulls away to win in four sets
In 1989, Jim Courier, 19 years old, was playing only his second year in the majors. 35th placeth His best result so far on the ATP Tour was a win over Andre Agassi at Roland Garros, which advanced to the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time (lost to Andrei Chesnokov 2-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, 7-5). In his main game, he was not the favorite against Stefan Edberg in the final of the Swiss Indoors in Basel. The Swede was the world No. 3, runner-up at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and her service-volley game was particularly effective on fast indoor surfaces.
However, during the first meeting between the two players, it quickly became clear that by 1988 Wimbledon the champion was not performing at her best, the young American was on fire. Still, Edberg was experienced and the surface suited his tactics perfectly, and he was able to take two sets to one. Then in the fourth set, Currie played flawless tennis, hitting backhands in every direction to win the set 6-0, pushing his opponent to a fifth and deciding set. It was a close decision but the American, playing in his first final on tour, won 7-5 to claim his first title.
“This was my best tennis,” commented Courier. “I took advantage of the fact that Stefan could play better.”
What’s next? Edberg wins Wimbledon. Both become #1
In 1990, Stefan Edberg would regain the Wimbledon crown, and a few weeks later he would become world No. 1. In 1991, he won the US Open for the first time, producing a masterpiece in the final to destroy Jim Currier 6-2, 6-4, 6-0. The American would seek revenge by becoming Edberg’s new challenger for world No. 1, beating him twice in the Australian Open finals in 1992 (6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2) and 1993 (6-2, 6-1, 2-6, 7-5).
Edberg and Courier have met 10 times on the court, with the latter going head-to-head with a score of 6-4.
After winning four Grand Slam titles in less than two years (adding the 1991 and 1992 French Open to his two Australian crowns), Courier’s career took a nosedive after losing the final at Roland Garros in 1993 (lost by Sergi Bruguera 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, 3-36). In the final five years of his career, he would only claim five of his 23 career titles. In 2000, her ranking dropped to 67th and her motivation was at an all-time low, prompting her to retire from professional tennis. In total, Courier spent 58 weeks at the top of the ATP rankings.