1984 Roland Garros

Mandlikova Challenges Navratilova’s Grand Slam Bid at 1984 Roland Garros

At 1984 Roland Garros French Open, Hana Mandlikova emerged as the primary challenger to Martina Navratilova’s Grand Slam pursuit. Mandlikova made her mark by halting Navratilova‘s 54-match win streak in January. Despite Mandlikova‘s impressive performance in the semifinals, Navratilova advanced to the final and defeated Chris Evert Lloyd, clinching the fourth leg of the Grand Slam.

Round 1 / Hana Mandlikova vs Yvona Brzakova at 1984 Roland Garros

Mandlikova’s Strong Debut at 1984 French Open

Hana Mandlikova‘s first match against Yvona Brzakova, the 5th-ranked Czechoslovakian player, was the perfect start to her journey at Roland Garros. After a difficult start in the first set, won 6-4, she went on to win the second 6-0.

Round 2 : Hana Mandlikova vs Susan Mascarin at 1984 Roland Garros

Mandlikova Cruises Past Mascarin in Round 2

In the second round, Hana Mandlikova faced Sue Mascarin, the 1982 World Junior Champion. Mascarin, known for her playing style similar to Evert and Austin, has struggled to make a significant impact on the professional circuit. Without the power to challenge Mandlikova, Sue Mascarin was easily defeated, allowing Hana to advance comfortably to the next round.

Round 3 : Hana Mandlikova vs Catherine Tanvier at 1984 Roland Garros

Mandlikova Overcomes Tanvier to Advance Amid Partisan Crowd

The anticipation was high on Centre Court as France’s No. 1 and WTA #23 Cathy Tanvier took on Hana Mandlikova. With the home crowd’s support, the atmosphere was charged, adding pressure on both players. Tanvier capitalized on Mandlikova‘s early nerves, but despite an erratic start, Hana regrouped to win the match 6-3, 7-5. After leading 5-0 in the first set, Hana Mandlikova faced a 5-2 deficit in the second set but managed a strong comeback to secure victory.

Round of 16 : Hana Mandlikova vs Petra Keppeler at 1984 Roland Garros

Mandlikova Advances to Quarterfinals After Tough Battle with Keppeler

In the Round of 16, Hana Mandlikova faced qualified Petra Keppeler. Keppeler, benefiting from a favorable draw, put up a strong fight. Rain interruptions and a lapse in Mandlikova‘s concentration allowed Keppeler to take the second set. Despite these challenges, Mandlikova ultimately prevailed, advancing to the quarterfinals.

Quarterfinal : Hana Mandlikova vs Melissa Brown at 1984 Roland Garros

Mandlikova Reaches French Open Semifinals with Win Over Brown

Hana Mandlikova became the first player to reach the semifinals of the French Open tennis championships with a 6-1, 6-4 victory today over 16-year-old American amateur Melissa Brown.

Mandlikova, who won the championship in 1981, had trailed 2-3 in the second set when play was abandoned Monday. But she took only 20 minutes to wrap up the victory when the match resumed, breaking Brown for a 5-4 lead and then holding serve.

“I didn’t even know who she was,” the 22-year-old Czechoslovakian said of her teenage opponent. “But if she reached this stage, she can’t be bad.
“I tried to seek out her weaknesses. She isn’t too flexible and she has to work on her serve.”

Semifinal : Hana Mandlikova vs Martina Navratilova at 1984 Roland Garros

Navratilova Overcomes Mandlikova to Continue Grand Slam Quest

Victory over Mandlikova today and in Saturday’s final would put Navratilova, winner here in 1982, among an elite group of tennis legends. Only four players – Donald Budge, Rod Laver (twice), Maureen Connolly and Margaret Smith Court – have won the Grand Slam, the titles of the French, U.S. and Australian Opens and Wimbledon. But Mandlikova is the only player to beat her this year, and the 22-year- old Czech feels she can end the tournament favorite’s immediate Grand Slam aspirations.

“We always have close matches, and I shall try to change the pace, which she doesn’t like,” said Mandlikova. “I will be happy if she doesn’t get the Grand Slam.”

Evert said Navratilova could be pushed by Mandlikova, the only player this year to beat Martina.

“I’d definitely give Hana a chance,” Evert said. “She has the game and the equipment. If she is inspired, she will give Martina a tough match.”

Miss Navratilova was under pressure for one and a half sets and could not find her rhythm against an opponent who seemed inspired. The favorite was hardly making a clean volley and overhitting her ground strokes. When she lost the first set, it was the first one she had dropped in the tournament.

After they had traded breaks at the start of the second set, Martina Navratilova began her drive to victory. She went to 4-2, broke serve again with the help of two disputed line calls and won the set. Hana Mandlikova, got her last chance when she had 2 break points that could have pulled her to 3-4 in the final set. But she hit a forehand long and netted a passing shot.

It’s a lot easier for me to play Chris because she doesn’t pressure me,” Navratilova said. “I feel I can dictate the play. I feel I can set up points a lot easier with Chris.”

Navratilova started anxiously against Mandlikova and dropped a set for the first time in the tournament. Mandlikova dominated the early exchanges with spectacular service returns and passing shots. But, suddenly she lost her touch. Two crucial service breaks in the last two sets went against her, and Navratilova, whose service had improved steadily throughout the match, finished off her opponent by winning the last four games.

Final : Martina Navratilova vs Chris Evert-Lloyd at 1984 Roland Garros

Navratilova Dominates Evert Lloyd to Win French Open and Grand Slam

Martina Navratilova overwhelmed Chris Evert Lloyd for the 11th straight time today, winning the French Open final in 63 minutes, 6-3, 6-1. In doing so, Miss Navratilova earned a bonus of $1 million and a somewhat grudging recognition as the third woman to capture the four Grand Slam events in tennis.

Ladies Doubles :

Navratilova and Shriver Halt Mandlíková and Kohde-Kilsch’s Unbeaten Run to Claim French Open Doubles Title

Martina Navratilova was again on the run for a trophy last Sunday, teaming Pam Shriver for Women’s Doubles Crown.

Moreover, their French Open opponents had never lost a match. Mandlikova and Kohde-Kilsch had played in only two tournaments together and won both Hilton Head, and Orlando (T.O.C.) this year. Shriver was facing the additional pressure of the Grand Slam. Martina had already clinched the singles Slam, so Pam had a critical assignment in holding up her part of the plot. helping Martina to become the first player in history to win the singles and doubles Grand Slams.

The match featured the best tennis of the doubles draw. The underdogs broke Shriver‘s serve in game eleven, and served out the first set. Shriver did not hold service once in the first set, while some of Navratilova‘s volleys were also a bit off.

Mandlikova, meanwhile, was hitting all the lines and Kohde-Kilsch covered the net using her six-foot plus frame to full advantage.

Martina then lost her serve in the first game of the second set to put the three-time WTA “Doubles Team of the Year” at a distinct disadvantage. They broke back for 1-1, and then Shriver held her serve. The critical game came when Kohde Kilsch lost her serve for 3-5. In that game, Claudia fell to the court in a near somersault while reaching for a ball. She was covered in red clay, and her left elbow was bleeding. Martina grabbed a courtside towel and gave to her to brush off the clay. All four players collected at the net and exchanged words of concern. Claudia decided to play on without medical attention.

In the final set, Navratilova and Shriver rolled. They broke early for 3-1, and never backed off.

The victory was a major relief for Shriver, who said,

“I can’t believe it’s over. It was unbelievable. What a feeling.”

Extracts from the book “HANA”

At the French Open Martina defeated me 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 by playing some unbelievable shots. She hit the ball with so much power and strength that I was left to feel that she was playing tennis beyond the reach of any other woman in the world, she could play the ball from behind her and hit winners with a flick of her wrist. Even as a young girl growing up in Prague she was a tomboy and much stronger than any of her contemporaries.

Nevertheless, on that afternoon in Paris I was intimidated – and no other word will do – by Martina. After the match I went to the locker room and told my mother and father that I was going to inform the press that I thought Martina played like a man. Betty warned me not to do anything of the sort, explaining, ‘You will hurt yourself for the future.’

I had something on my mind and I wanted to express it. That’s the way I am, if I believe strongly about something no one can make me change my opinion. Perhaps, at that time, other players and critics alike had felt that Martina had taken women’s tennis into an area where it had never been before. It was typical of me, against sound advice, to be the one who had to raise the subject in public.

One miscalculation that my father recognizes he made in my education was he brought me up to tell the truth. He is such a honest man that he could never teach me otherwise. Yet, he now accepts that I have got hurt so many times because of my own honesty and he admits that it was a mistake not to have taught me that there are times to be a little bit diplomatic, to be what politicians would call ‘economic with the truth’.

Diplomacy, I confess, is not one of my strong points and I will create unnecessary trouble for myself until I learn that sometimes you can soften the facts without sacrificing your integrity.

To make matters worse in Paris, I had to play against Martina in the women’s doubles the day after I gave my fateful Press conference. It was noticeable that Martina spent a great deal of time talking to her partner, Pam Shriver, so that she did not have to look me in the eye. I know I couldn’t look her in the face, as I felt so remorseful for what I had said.

I didn’t want to be on that court against her, that’s for sure. Yet, I compounded the incident further by making He-man signs to the crowd, flexing my biceps in Martina’s direction to imply she was Superwoman. What do I say about that? Only that it was foolish and immature behaviour and something that I am not proud about.