December 20 marked the end of a career for Roger Federer. It was on this day, on December 20, 1998, as documented in the book “ON THIS DAY IN TENNIS HISTORY” ($19.95, New Chapter Press, www.TennisHistoryBook.com), that Federer’s career as a junior tennis player came to an end as he won the prestigious Orange Bowl in Florida. The following is an excerpt from the aforementioned book that outlines Federer’s efforts, as well as other events from this day in tennis history.
1998 – Roger Federer ends his career as a junior tennis player by winning the prestigious singles title at the Orange Bowl in Key Biscayne, Fla., defeating Guillermo Coria of Argentina, 7-5, 6-3 in the final. The win over Coria moves Federer to the No. 1 ranking in the ITF world junior rankings for the first time. Writes Rene Stauffer in The Roger Federer Story, Quest for Perfection, “Federer had to endure one more week of uncertainty until his year-end No. 1 ranking was official. It wasn’t until an upstart American junior named Andy Roddick defeated (Julien) Jeanpierre in the semifinals of the last junior tournament of the year – the Yucatan Cup in Mexico – that Federer clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking.”
1994 – Thirty-four-year-old Ivan Lendl, the Czech player who plays in a record 19 major singles finals, announces his retirement from tennis after a 15-year career due to continued back problems. Lendl wins eight major titles, including three straight U.S. Open titles from 1985 to 1987. He also wins the French Open in 1984, 1986 and 1987, two Australian titles in 1990 and 1991 and ranks No. 1 in the world for 270 weeks. Says Lendl in a media conference call where he announces his decision, “This is a very difficult and sad time for me. This is not the way I would have chosen to retire and I’m sure I will miss the game I love. I enjoyed playing the game, had a lot of great times, and I will miss it.”
1981 – Tracy Austin withstands the loss of eight straight games to defeat Martina Navratilova 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the final of the Toyota Championships in East Rutherford, N.J. “Martina always seem to start out pretty fast,” says Austin. “I just tried to hang in there and play one point at a time.”
1974 – John Newcombe expresses relief at losing 6-4, 6-4 to Phil Dent in the quarterfinals of the New South Wales Open in Sydney. Says Newcombe, “I’m glad I’m out in a way. I need some mental stimulation. I feel like a draft horse being flogged to win a six-furlong race.”