10 Greatest sporting chokes of all time (Part- 2)

3. Jana Novotna, Wimbledon 1993- The magnitude of the moment gets the better of Jana

Novotna vs Graf, Wimbledon final- Fast forward to the third set, where Novotna looked invincible. With a lead of 4 games to 1 and with 40-30 ahead was just 5 points away from her first Grand Slam singles title. With all the eyes glued on the action at the centre-court and the Duke and Duchess of Kent were in their customary place in the royal box, the moment was a bit too much to take in for Novotna.

Novotna lined up the next serve which landed straight into the net- a fault. It looked like a minor lapse in concentration, but who knew that the match would end in the most bizarre fashion! Novotna hit a double fault on her way to lose that service game. Her swing seemed halfhearted, all arm and no legs and torso. Within in no time, instead of being a comfortable win for Novotna it was Graf who clinched the decisive set 6-4. Novotna, eventually lost her self-belief and conceded the title to Graf.

During the presentation ceremony, when the Duchess reached Novotna to console her, Novotna who was heartbroken, exhausted and at a loss for words, merely cried on the Duchess’ shoulder.

However, Novotna did comeback strongly from that shocker, as she went on to win her first Wimbledon title in 1998.