Legend status bestowed on ‘Ivan the terrific’

Legend status bestowed on ‘Ivan the terrific’
Sandra Harwitt

BOCA RATON, February 14: For Ivan Lendl, induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame will be a perfect way to bring closure to a brilliant tennis career that brought him fame, fortune and eight Grand Slam titles.‘‘I don’t really think about things such as my legacy in the game,’’ Lendl said on a teleconference call from his winter home in Florida following Tuesday’s announcement that he had been selected for Hall of Fame enshrinement. ‘‘My time in tennis is over. The ceremony in July will be a great closure to my career and a part of my life which is over now,’’ said the 40-year-old Lendl, who spent 270 weeks as the top-ranked tennis player in the world.

Lendl, who won 94 titles and reached the US Open final every year from 1982 to 1989, clearly is no longer obsessed with the sport that once occupied his every waking minute.

But he readily admits that in his playing days, there was nothing more important than winning a single-minded focus that led to two Australian Opens, three French Opens and three U.S. Opens where he hoisted the champion’s trophy.He also considers leading his native Czechoslovakia to its lone Davis Cup title in 1980 an important moment in his illustrious career. But no match, no tournament, and no opponent was too small to command his complete attention.

The one blemish on Lendl’s sensational record was his inability to win Wimbledon despite playing in two finals.

Factfile
Longest US Open winning streak Open Era 27 1st
Most Grand Slam matches won 222 2nd
Most Grand Slam tournaments played 57 2nd
Total finals career 146 2nd
Total matches played 1,310 2nd
Total matches won 1,072 2nd
Tournaments won one season 14 2nd
Matches played one season 142 2nd
Tourneys played career 348 2nd
Matches won one season 113 3rd
Matches won one season 107 4th
Winning streak one season 44 3rd best in open era