6-4, 3-6, 6-3

Czech-born Navratilova achieved everything in the game and then some but by 1994, when she was 37 years old, few gave her a chance of winning her 10th Wimbledon singles title. She had not won a title for a year and after missing the Australian Open had gone out in the first round at Roland Garros.

But her aggressive game was well-suited to the fast grass courts of SW19 and having reached the semi-final in the previous two years she, at least, believed she could do it again. When she reached the final, the miracle seemed possible.

This was her 132nd singles match at Wimbledon and was always going to be her last. It was just unlucky for her that she came up against the Spanish baseliner playing the grass court tennis of her life.

With Navratilova rushing the net at every opportunity Martinez started to realise she had the power to pass her.

Navratilova, long since a naturalised American, made the dream seem possible when she took the second set but youth came through in the end when 22-year-old Martinez wrapped it up the decider.

While Martinez got the plaudits she deserved, Navratilova was given the longest standing ovation Centre Court has ever seen. Even she was nearly reduced to tears.

She had recovered by the time she got to the post match press conference. "I gave it my all but I lost the bloody match. But what a way to go."