1996 Wimbledon Championships
# 1996 Wimbledon Championships

The 1996 Wimbledon Championships was a tennis tournament played on grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London in the United Kingdom. It was the 110th edition of the Wimbledon Championships and was held from 24 June to 7 July 1996.

## Events

When rain interrupted play on Centre Court on 3 July with a crowd that included Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent and actress Joanna Lumley, Cliff Richard, who was watching from the royal box, was approached by court officials for an interview. They suggested that he sing a song or two to entertain the crowd. With approval from his PR manager Richard proceeded to give an impromptu performance, starting with "Summer Holiday".

The performance ran for twenty minutes and consisted of Richard's hits such as "Living Doll" and "Congratulations", as well as the Elvis Presley hit "All Shook Up". Past tennis stars Virginia Wade, Martina Navratilova, Hana Mandlíková, Pam Shriver, Liz Smylie, Gigi Fernández and Conchita Martínez were in the Royal Box and proceeded to join in as background singers.

Richard was not aware that his performance was televised by the BBC, and after six songs presenter Des Lynam jokingly claimed "we'll probably get one hell of a bill." The performance made the front pages in many major British newspapers on the following day. Since a retractable roof was completed on Centre Court in 2009 such a performance is unlikely to happen again.

During the entrance of the court staff for the Men's Singles final, the court was briefly invaded by a streaker.

## Prize money

The total prize money for 1996 championships was £6,465,910. The winner of the men's title earned £392,500 while the women's singles champion earned £353,000.

| Event | W | Round of 128 |
| - | - | - |
| Men's singles | £392,500 | |
| Women's singles | £353,000 | |
| Men's doubles * | £160,810 | — |
| Women's doubles * | £139,040 | — |
| Mixed doubles * | £68,280 | — |

$_{*perteam}$

## Champions

### Seniors

**Men's singles**

Richard Krajicek defeated MaliVai Washington, 6–3, 6–4, 6–3

* It was Krajicek's 1st and only career Grand Slam singles title. He became the first Dutchman to win a Grand Slam singles title and the first Dutch singles winner since Kea Bouman in 1926.

**Women's singles**

Steffi Graf defeated Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, 6–3, 7–5

* It was Graf's 20th career Grand Slam singles title and her 7th and last title at Wimbledon.

**Men's doubles**

Todd Woodbridge / Mark Woodforde defeated Byron Black / Grant Connell, 4–6, 6–1, 6–3, 6–2

* It was Woodbridge's 10th career Grand Slam title and his 5th Wimbledon title. It was Woodforde's 11th career Grand Slam title and his 4th Wimbledon title.

**Women's doubles**

Martina Hingis / Helena Suková defeated Meredith McGrath / Larisa Neiland, 5–7, 7–5, 6–1

* It was Hingis' 1st career Grand Slam doubles title. It was Suková's 9th and last career Grand Slam doubles title and her 4th title at Wimbledon.

**Mixed doubles**

Cyril Suk / Helena Suková defeated Mark Woodforde / Larisa Neiland, 1–6, 6–3, 6–2

* It was Suk's 3rd career Grand Slam mixed doubles title and his 2nd title at Wimbledon. It was Suková's 4th career Grand Slam mixed doubles title and her 2nd title at Wimbledon.

### Juniors

**Boys' singles**

Vladimir Voltchkov defeated Ivan Ljubičić, 3–6, 6–2, 6–3

**Girls' singles**

Amélie Mauresmo defeated Magüi Serna, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4

**Boys' doubles**

Daniele Bracciali / Jocelyn Robichaud defeated Damien Roberts / Wesley Whitehouse, 6–2, 6–4

**Girls' doubles**

Olga Barabanschikova / Amélie Mauresmo defeated Lilia Osterloh / Samantha Reeves, 5–7, 6–3, 6–1

### Invitation

**Gentlemen's invitation doubles**

Wojciech Fibak / Tim Wilkison defeated Pavel Složil / Tomáš Šmíd, 6–2, 5–7, 6–1

**Ladies' invitation doubles**

Jo Durie / Anne Smith defeated Mima Jaušovec / Yvonne Vermaak, 6–3, 6–2

**Senior gentlemen's invitation doubles**

John Alexander / Phil Dent defeated Marty Riessen / Sherwood Stewart, 7–6, 6–2

