Evert-Connors mania and beating BJK: Olga Morozova remembers Wimbledon 1974

In an unique interview, Morozova shares a few of her reminiscences of her run to the ultimate and paints a singular image of what Wimbledon was like half a century in the past.

You reached the ultimate in Eastbourne within the run-up?

Sure, I misplaced within the remaining to Chris Evert, once more, three units. However the fascinating factor about Eastbourne is that Ted Tinling (the well-known designer of tennis attire) got here to me. When Ted Tinling is coming to you, it makes you are feeling pleased as a result of it doesn’t matter what your rating is, you could have made it as a result of your gown shall be there, fitted for me. He determined it could be ballerina stuff, all these frills. So when he got here and mentioned do you wish to play in my attire, can I say no? After all it was unimaginable.

1974 can be well-known for the Evert-Connors engagement?

That they had unbelievable press, reporters have been following them round. However the humorous factor was, the ladies, we travelled rather a lot collectively and Chris was asking me a number of questions as a result of I used to be already married. She was asking me: ‘how do you take care of the mom in regulation?’ “I used to be saying: ‘look, my mom in regulation resides in a unique a part of Moscow’. And he or she was like, no, however his mom blah blah blah. We have been all discussing the entire ladies issues rather a lot, it was humorous.

Inform me about your run to the ultimate

Within the first spherical I performed Shirley Brasher, she had gained the French Open (in 1957. Brasher was married to Chris Brasher, who was one of many pacemakers for Roger Bannister when he turned the primary man to run a mile in lower than 4 minutes in 1954). The climate was horrible, we didn’t play once more as much as Saturday, I believe, after which after all we performed three matches a day, it was not straightforward.

Second match (towards Wendy Paish of Australia) was tough. I used to be seeded as a result of I used to be within the remaining of the French Open and all people was speaking about me. I used to be additionally within the remaining of Eastbourne, Chris Evert once more, three units, then I’m profitable units 6-0 after which all crowds have been round and the entire reporters round, so it was a number of strain. After that match I didn’t have any issues.

You beat Billie Jean King within the quarter-finals?

I believe the very best match I performed was towards Billie. I had overwhelmed her in Philadelphia (earlier that 12 months) however nonetheless. The factor is I at all times liked to play towards Billie as a result of she was much like me, serve-volley, I believe it was extra artistic stuff. I believe I performed my finest match. It was on Court docket 1, the outdated court docket No 1.

And you then broke British hearts by beating Virginia Wade within the semis?

Sure. We have been good pals. Due to the rain, we have been within the dressing room for a really very long time. And I believe we have been known as about 4 or 5 instances right down to this little dressing room within the again. I can think about that that might have put strain on her. I knew with Virginia if she is on she shall be tough to beat but it surely may occur that it (her type) will cease. This was my hope. I bear in mind very properly, and all the ladies afterwards mentioned the identical, I believe it was on her serve after I truly handed her with a lob and it landed on the road. All the ladies mentioned that was the second. After which I began to play somewhat bit higher and I gained.

Had been you nervous earlier than the ultimate?

Sure. However I bear in mind, it was tough to name Russia, the Soviet Union, at the moment, it was no mobiles and it was costly. However lastly in some way it was organised after which I’m calling my husband and I mentioned: ‘I’m within the remaining’ and he mentioned: ‘and what?’ ‘I mentioned, my God I’m within the remaining of Wimbledon’. I don’t know, perhaps he was stunned that I known as, perhaps one thing else, however he was truly so cool, prefer it was occurring daily ?

How was the ultimate itself?

This was truly silly of me. I mentioned to myself, OK, which flowers are mine? Pink or orange? If this, I’ll win, if not, I gained’t, and naturally it was the other. But additionally I believe I lastly realised that I used to be within the remaining at Wimbledon. In case you realise you’re within the remaining, then what occurs…and I didn’t play my sport. Perhaps additionally as a result of I had performed fairly properly towards Chris in Eastbourne, I believed perhaps right here I may do it, but it surely didn’t occur, she was too good. However to excuse myself, she had misplaced 6-0 (within the first set of the ultimate to Billie Jean King) the 12 months earlier than, so it does occur. (Chris Evert gained the 1974 remaining 6-0, 6-3).