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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Indomitable Washington Wills His Way Into Final

Steve Wilstein Associated Press

The color of MaliVai Washington’s skin meant far less than the content of his character in an epic comeback Saturday that enabled him to realize his lifelong dream of playing in the Wimbledon final.

Never yielding even when Todd Martin served for the match at 5-1 in the fifth set, Washington kept pounding back shots, stepping up the pressure, and hoping for a crack in Martin’s nerves.

Washington wasn’t rattled by a crucial and questionable line call that went against him, nor by a rain delay a few moments later. They had started playing this match Friday morning, left it at two sets apiece when rain washed out the rest of the day, and as the sun shone again, there was Washington still scrapping to find a way to win.

Martin obliged with one of the most astonishing chokes ever seen on Centre Court - a freeze-up he readily acknowledged - as he sprayed shots wildly. But it was Washington’s relentlessness and daring that put the pressure on Martin, and in the end it was Washington who drilled the winning backhand volley, then dropped to his knees and clenched both fists to celebrate a 5-7, 6-4, 6-7 (8-6), 6-3, 10-8 triumph.

“It’s a moment you dream about,” said Washington, who had just turned 6 years old when he and his father watched Arthur Ashe become the only black man to win Wimbledon. “Every kid from 5 years old, and even guys 50 years old, have dreamt of being at this moment. I have a lot of support from the black community in the States and around the world. It’s great when you can win because you’re winning for yourself, and you’re winning for those who are pulling for you. It’s an honor to be the first black since Arthur to be in the final.”

Ashe, who died 3-1/2 years ago, won Wimbledon in 1975 for his third Grand Slam title - the last time a black American male reached any major final. For Washington and the very few other black players who have played over the past two decades, the burden has always been on their shoulders to build on Ashe’s success and to draw more blacks into the game. It is a burden Washington accepted graciously, though he has often wearied of being asked so often about it.

“I just hope I can spur more young blacks into playing the game,” Washington said as he anticipated the worldwide audience who will see him play in the final against Richard Krajicek, a 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 victor over Jason Stoltenberg.

Martin, a longtime friend from Michigan who now lives near Washington in Florida, swallowed his own disappointment and appreciated what the appearance in the final meant to Washington.

“It’s got to be a great feeling for Mal to be in the finals of Wimbledon, whether he’s black, white, brown or green,” Martin said. “I think he’s done a great job of playing tennis, and I don’t think anybody should let the color of his skin overshadow what he’s done on the tennis court.”

For a moment, Washington thought less of his accomplishment than the narrowness of his victory. He joked that when he trailed 1-5, he thought, “I’ve got him right where I want him, let’s try to put it away.”