Paul McNamee and Martina Navratilova were the defending champions coming in to the 1986 Wimbledon Championships….but they decided not to play together….as McNamee competed with Hana Mandlíková but lost in the first round to David Graham and Elise Burgin….while Navratilova played with Heinz Günthardt…..who made it to the finals only to be defeated by Ken Flach and Kathy Jordan in straight sets by 6 – 3, 7 – 6(9 – 7) to win the Mixed Doubles tennis title at this 1986 Wimbledon Championships…so, in this post, we have are focused on the team and careers of Ken Flach + Kathy Jordan…..just as we focused on Navratilova/Gunthardt in the video that follows featuring Set 1 of this Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Finals.
Ken Flach is a former professional tennis player from the United States…..who was a doubles specialist…. having won 4 Grand Slam men’s doubles titles (2 Wimbledon and 2 US Open)….and 2 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles (1 Wimbledon and 1 French Open). He also won the men’s doubles Gold Medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul….while partnering Robert Seguso. Flach also reached the World No. 1 doubles ranking in 1985. Flach played doubles on the US Davis Cup team from 1985–1991….while compiling an 11–2 record. He was also a member of the US team which won the World Team Cup in 1985. During his career, Flach won 36 doubles titles (34 men’s doubles and 2 mixed doubles). His final career title was won in 1994 at Scottsdale, Arizona.
Prior to turning professional, Flach played tennis for Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville….where he won the NCAA Division II singles championships in 1981, 1982 and 1983….and teamed-up with Seguso to reach the 1983 Division I doubles final. Since retiring from the professional tour, Flach has devoted himself to coaching. He guided Vanderbilt University to its first-ever NCAA tournament berth in 1999. In 2003 he led the team to Vanderbilt’s first-ever NCAA championship finals appearance in any sport. He has also played in seniors events, and won the Wimbledon 35-and-over men’s doubles title in 1999 and 2000.
Kathy Jordan teamed up with Ken Flach to win 2 Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Titles in 1985 and 1986….after turning professional in 1979. Her best performance in a Grand Slam singles tournament was runner-up at the 1983 Australian Open….where she lost to Martina Navratilova in straight sets. She was the first player to defeat Chris Evert before the semifinals of a Grand Slam singles tournament….when she defeated Evert 6 – 1, 7 – 6 in the 3rd round of Wimbledon in 1983….after Evert had reached at least the semifinals of her first 34 Grand Slam singles tournaments. In women’s doubles, Jordan won 4 Grand Slam titles….in which 4 were in partnership with Anne Smith. She also won a career Grand Slam in women’s doubles at the 1980 French Open….1980 and 1985 Wimbledon…1981 US Open….and the 1981 Australian Open. In the Wimbledon final on July 6, 1985….Jordan and Elizabeth Smylie teamed to snap the 109-match winning streak of Navratilova and Pam Shriver….by defeating them in 3 sets. In mixed doubles, Jordan won two Grand Slam titles….the 1986 French Open and 1986 Wimbledon….as both of which were in partnership with Ken Flach.
Jordan retired in 1991….as her highest singles ranking was # 5 in the world in 1984….while her highest doubles rank was # 6 in the world in 1991. She won several awards during her career….which included the 1979 WTA Most Impressive Newcomer Award….the 1980 WTA Doubles Team of the Year Award with Smith….1984 WTA Most Improved Player of the Year Award….and 1991 WTA Player Service Award.
In this 1986 Wimbledon Championship, Kathy Jordan + Ken Flach defeated GBR John Lloyd + NZE Wendy Turnbull in the quarterfinals…..then down the Czech Republic duo of Michael Robertson + Elna Reinach in the semifinals…..while Martina Navratilova + Heinz Gunhardt beat GBR’s duo of Jeremy Bates + Joe Durie in the quarters….then defeated ESP Emilio Sanchez + HUN Betina Bunge in the semifinals….as both finalists record straight set victories in moving to this finals match. For any and all vintage tennis fans, this video is MUST SEE TV!!! ENJOY!!!
