Tennis / Wimbledon '94: Navratilova takes leave of her court: Martinez a deserving women's singles champion as a legend is given a heart-warming send-off. John Roberts reports

A TREMENDOUS women's final, heightened by the emotion of the occasion, concluded with Martina Navratilova hitting a despairing backhand into the alley from the Royal Box end, after which she embraced Conchita Martinez, the first Spaniard to win the Venus Rosewater Dish.

It was, the great champion assured us, the last shot she will make at the All England Club, certainly in singles matches, and it may transpire to be the last to be seen from her in any tournament.

Overwhelmed by the warmth of her leaving do on the Centre Court - loser, and still champion, to borrow from Budd Schulberg on Ali - Navratilova said she would 'take stock' before deciding whether to play on until the end of her retirement year: 'It's hard to get excited about playing anywhere after this.'

With due respect to the United States Open and the Virginia Slims Championships at Madison Square Garden, she could not hope for a heartier send off - 'I lost the bloody match, but what a way to go' - and is wise to question if it is worth risking a repetition of her ignominious exit in the first round of the French Open six weeks ago.

On Saturday, the fourth seeed was unable to extract win No 120, which would have produced a 10th title as a parting gift. She was defeated, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, by an opponent competing in her first Grand Slam final who was one year old when Navratilova made her Wimbledon debut, 21 years and 268 matches (including doubles) earlier.

Regrettable though it was for the majority that the storyline strayed from the original plot, Martinez was as worthy a winner as there has been. Her achievement, especially considering the force of sentiment on her opponent's side, was immense, and also refreshing.

The women's game has not been able to hail a brand new Grand Slam champion since Gabriela Sabatini startled Steffi Graf by approaching the net to win the US Open in 1990. Graf's first-round defeat by Lori McNeil provided the incentive here, and Martinez did not waste the opportunity.

Allusions to the corrida, a convenient metaphorical refuge, seem apposite. Martinez, a bold torera, expertly countered the charges with the capote and finished the job cleanly with the muleta and the estoque.

There is a place in a bullring known as the querencia. It is a spot that the bull seeks out and to which it returns; where it feels

secure. There was no querencia for Navratilova in her spiritual home, so relentless was Martinez's

pursuit.

The sight of a torera flat on her face receiving medical treatment would suggest a goring, at least. Fortunately, Martinez's problem midway through the second set proved to be nothing more serious than a a strained muscle in her left hip - a pain 'in the butt', as she phrased it - and the torment of her quarry resumed in the final set.

Most of Navratilova's wounds were caused by spectacular passing shots, the pace and variety of which were as impressive as most present had ever witnessed, even allowing for the fact that the victim was 37 years old. 'Today she passed me as well as anybody ever has,' Navratilova said, 'even Monica Seles.'

Navratilova, faithful to her instincts, would volley or smash the balls to the corners, only to become a helpless spectator as they were retrieved and returned beyond reach: 47 winners, 23 delivered by the backhand. 'People come to my backhand because apparently it's my weakness,' the third seed said, adding that the volume of practice had sharpened the shot: 'I'm having so much fun; it's like, 'Thank you very much'.'

Spin is a crucial element of Martinez's game. 'Conchita has a lot of dip on the ball,' Navratilova said, 'so it comes over lower by the time it gets to you, which made it more difficult to volley well. And she stands back further behind the baseline for the return of serve, which gives her extra time to line up her shots. Because of the topspin she can do that, and still get the ball at my feet.'

The style was moulded on clay, the traditional slower surface of the European courts, which is why the French Open is considered the most realistic goal for Spanish players, and most others not naturally inclined to serve and volley.

Sergi Bruguera and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario brought the nation unparalleled success in Paris. Martinez was able to extend the reign of Spain across the Channel because she was finally convinced by her advance to the semi-finals a year ago (losing to Steffi Graf), that her expertise would adapt to the lawns.

Manuel Santana is the only Spaniard to win the men's title, defeating the American, Dennis Ralston, in 1966. Santana's victory, 6-4, 11-9, 6-4, took 15 minutes less than the hour and 59 minutes Martinez was on court on Saturday, though in Santana's day players were not allowed the luxury of a seat during changeovers.

Lili de Alvarez, the Countess de Valdene, contested three consecutive finals, losing once to Britain's Kitty Godfree, in 1926, and twice to the American, Helen Wills.

De Alvarez, who was born in Rome, is best remembered as an attractive player who set a fashion trend. In 1927, she appeared wearing an outfit which took the form of a two-tiered pagoda-style tunic top, underneath which were worn flared trousers to the knee: the forerunner of divided skirts and culottes.

Martinez is not so ostentatious, but evidently more potent. She comes from Monzon, near the Pyrenees, though her tennis was groomed in Barcelona. Her father, Cecillo, is a retired accountant, and her mother, Conchita, takes care of the household.

The proud parents were able to join in the weekend celebrations, as was their younger son, Fernando, 26. Roberto, 30, was also due to add an extra pair of hands to the flamenco rhythm of the clapping which acclaimed Conchita's best shots.

Unfortunately, on arrriving at the airport in Barcelona, it was discovered that Roberto did not have his passport. Still, Conchita's form was such that the family had more than enough passes for one day.

----------------------------------------------------------------- WIMBLEDON '94: FACTS AND FIGURES ----------------------------------------------------------------- FASTEST SERVE Men: G Ivaniseic 136mph Women: M Oremans and J Novotna 110mph MOST ACES IN A MATCH Men: G Ivaniseic 35 Women: C Martinez 12 MOST DOUBLE FAULTS IN A MATCH Men: Y Kafelnikov 20 Women: N Miyagi 13 LONGEST MATCH Men: B Becker v A Medvedev 4hr 53min Women: C Martinez v L McNeil 2hr 35min SHORTEST MATCH Men: J Burillo v A Olhovskiy 1hr 8min Women: M Navratilova v H Sukova 44min HIGHEST RACKET TENSION M Woodforde 85lb -----------------------------------------------------------------

(Photograph omitted)