PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: 1985: MATS WILANDER

by

Lance Tingay

During the season Jimmy Connors made the point, seemingly in a spirit of criticism, that Mats Wilander did not give his full effort all the time. In the big events: yes; in lesser tournaments, he relaxed. Whether the assessment be accurate is known only to Wilander. But if he tries his hardest on the most vital occasions, what is that but sound sense - and good strategy?

The bloom of his precocious 1982 triumph in France now belongs to the past. Wilander, a player of maturity cast in the same superb mould as the creator of modern Swedish success, Bjorn Borg, waxed his brightest once again in 1985 on the demanding shale courts at the Stade Roland Garros. Obviously he tried his hardest there and a fine Swedish name was imprinted again on the roll of Grand Slam champions. It was for him the second leg of a possible Grand Slam, for he had won the Australian title (on grass, so utterly different from shale) in Melbourne at the end of 1984 - a title he was to lose to compatriot Stefan Edberg only at the last hurdle. Wimbledon put a quick end to the possibility but Wilander did far better at Flushing Meadow, where he inspired McEnroe to his best and a sparkling match. Yet it was back in Paris that this pleasing player, lithe, handsome and clean cut, made himself a player of the year.

(World of Tennis 1986)