Happy Birthday: Ivan Lendl, Viv Richards, Ronan O'Gara, Mathieu Flamini

Sport360 staff 12:27 07/03/2016
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  • One of tennis’ most dominant forces in the 1980s, Ivan Lendl, who turns 56, is on many people’s greatest of all-time list.

    Originally from Czechoslokia before becoming a US citizen in 1992, Lendl helped usher in the era of “power tennis” with his strength and heavy topspin from the baseline. During his career, Lendl contested 19 grand slam finals – a record later surpassed by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – and won eight of them.

    Before the formation of the ATP, Lendl reached 12 year-end championships – a record he shares with John McEnroe. He reached the world No1 spot for the first time in February 1983 and held that ranking for a total of 270 weeks throughout his career.

    He coached Andy Murray to his two grand slam titles in 2012 and 2013.

    1952: Viv Richards, retired West Indian cricketer. One of the greatest batsmen of all-time (64).

    1957: Mark Richards, Australia surfer who is a four-time world champion (59).

    1977: Ronan O’Gara, Ireland’s second most-capped rugby union player. Now coaches Top 14 team Racing 92 (39).

    1984: Mathieu Flamini, French footballer who plays as a midfielder for Arsenal in the Premier League (32).

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