Australian Patrick Rafter, basking in the sunshine and perpetual screaming of young fans, defeated American Vincent Spadea 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 to win the Marlboro Championships singles title yesterday at Victoria Park.
The 23-year-old Rafter's victory, in front of almost 3,000 toll-free and care-free fans, provided a fitting culmination to a hectic seven days during which the $5.65 million tournament experienced many 'firsts'.
It was the first time in the championships' nine-year history that play spilled over to the Monday because of rain; the first time it was won by an Australian; the first time none of the top seeds made it to the semi-finals; the first time two players from outside the world's top 50 reached the final; the first time it rained on a Sunday . . . and there were probably many more.
Most gratifying, though, was the fact that, for the first time, it appeared that both finalists wanted to win badly.
Former winner Ivan Lendl was always the true professional. But neither he, nor other previous champions, displayed the kind of passion and determination showed by yesterday's finalists.
Rafter, ranked 56 at the end of last week, was quick to point this out.