Hall Of Fame

The popular Australian who was a firm favourite with the crowd won two Grand Slams during his career. He also finished runner-up twice at Wimbledon and won an additional 9 ATP titles. After turning professional in 1991 he won his first career singles title in 1994 on the grass courts of Manchester. After struggling to overcome a wrist operation in October 1995, the Australian made a dramatic return in 1997 by winning his first Grand Slam title at the US Open, defeating Andre Agassi and Michael Chang en route to the final. Earlier in the season Rafter had demonstrated his return to form by reaching the semi-finals at the French Open, losing to former champion Sergi Bruguera. His victory at Flushing Meadows made him the first Australian to win the US Open since Mark Edmondson in 1976. He built on this success throughout 1998 by winning back-to-back ATP Masters Series titles in Toronto and Cincinnati. He also won three other titles on the Tour before successfully retaining the US Open, defeating fellow countryman Mark Philippousssis in the final. Rafter reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon for the first time in 1999, losing to Agassi in straight sets. This was to be the first of three consecutive years that the two met in the semi-finals of Wimbledon. Shortly after in July 1999, Rafter held the world number one ranking sport for one week, the shortest in the history of the ATP. Rafter reached his first Wimbledon final in 2000, losing to Pete Sampras and reached the same stage in 2001 before losing to Ivanisevic in an epic five set thriller.

Considered by most historians as one of the architects of modern tennis and is one of the greatest British male tennis players of all time. In the summer months he would compete in England and Ireland, while competing on the French Riviera during the winter months. He won a total of fourteen Wimbledon titles, seven of those in singles, which is an all-time record he now shares with Pete Sampras. The first six were all consecutive, which has never been equalled to this day, although Bjorn Borg and Roger Federer currently share the record of five consecutive wins since Renshaw's time as reigning champion had automatic entry to the final. Since 1922 they have had to play in the main draw, making such feats considerably more difficult. The other seven Wimbledon titles he won was partnering his twin brother Ernest Renshaw in the men's doubles event. Taught at Cheltenham school, the right hander was known for his power and technical ability which put him and his brother well ahead of their time. Whilst Ernest had the touch, William had the power. The brothers met in the Wimbledon final on three separate occasions, with Ernest only triumphing once. This came in 1888, by which time William had won the first of his six titles. He unfortunately had to withdraw from the challenge round in 1997 due to an elbow injury. He returned and a seventh title followed shortly after when he exacted revenge on his older brother by 15 minutes in 1889.