News Brightens For Ailing Becker
Boris Becker’s worst fears of a career-threatening broken right wrist gave way to optimism after he learned Saturday he had only ruptured a tendon.
The freak injury suffered in the third round Friday at Wimbledon, though serious and painful, will keep Becker out at least six weeks but could heal in time for him to play in the U.S. Open.
“I’m relieved it is nothing more serious,” said Becker, a three-time Wimbledon champion and No. 2 seed. “I hope to be able to keep returning to Wimbledon to play in 1997 and 1998.”
“I must not play for a month but will definitely be 100 percent fit for the U.S. Open at the end of August.”
Doctors diagnosed the injury as a partial tear of the ulnar extensor tendon in his right wrist. Becker will wear a cast for four weeks and then begin two weeks of physical therapy.
Stark ending
American Jonathan Stark’s best-ever singles effort at Wimbledon ended in the third round.
Stark, who upset Jim Courier in the first round, lost to Dutchman Paul Haarhuis 6-4, 6-7 (6-8), 6-1, 6-4.
“Beating Jim is my best win as far as a Grand Slam goes,” Stark said. “I still feel I’m playing great, so I take away some positives from this week. I’m pretty disappointed, though. That’s why I’m glad I’m going back out to play the doubles, so I can end the day on a positive note.”
It didn’t. Stark and Jared Palmer, the No. 14 seeds in the men’s doubles, lost 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 to the Czech team of Petr Pala and Pavel Vizner.
Stark will stick around, though. He and Martina Navratilova begin the defense of their mixed doubles title next week.
Last year, Navratilova, who is chasing Billie Jean King’s record of 20 Wimbledon titles, entered the mixed with Stark, whom she met for the first time 5 minutes before their first match.
More the mixed
Last year, at the 11th hour, Steffi Graf pulled out from women’s doubles with Navratilova, citing her aching back and angering Navratilova. Small wonder that this year, in her role as HBO commentator, Navratilova was skeptical of Graf’s knee injury.
This year, Graf, who has only played mixed doubles four other times in her career, is teaming with her coach, Heinz Guenthardt, in mixed.
Strange forces and coincidence bring partners together. But there was no secret about the forces that brought Monica Seles and Betsy Nagelsen together - International Management Group. Nagelsen is married to the man who runs IMG; Seles is a client.