Leander Paes created history by winning the US Open mixed doubles title with Swiss partner Martina Hingis and surpassed compatriot and former partner Mahesh Bhupathi’s record. The 42-year-old Paes now has won nine Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, against Bhupathi’s eight. Leander Paes and Swiss Martina Hingis became the first team since 1969 to win three Grand Slam mixed doubles titles in the same season.
The fourth seeds defeated American duo Sam Querrey and Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-4, 3-6, 10-7 to add the New York crown to their wins at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Hingis has now won a total of 19 Grand Slam trophies: five singles, 10 women’s doubles and four mixed doubles. She has a chance to add another in the women’s doubles final with Sania Mirza.
- There’s a pineapple on top of the Wimbledon trophy. Apparently it represents the tradition of English sailors putting pineapples on their gateposts when they returned from a long voyage.
- It was only in 2007 that prize money for Wimbledon winners became equal for men and women.
- Tennis was first played in the Olympics in 1896, and then removed in 1924. In 1988 it was re-added to the Olympics as a real event.
- The longest match in the history of tennis was played between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon in 2010. It lasted for about 11 hours.
Test Your Knowledge
Sania Mirza and ___________ won the prestigious Wimbledon Womens’ Doubles Title in 2015.
