Confessions of a nun

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Report: Jaeger admits purposely losing 1983 Wimbledon final to Navratilova

July 5, 2008

LONDON — Andrea Jaeger said in an interview with a British newspaper that she purposely lost the 1983 Wimbledon final to Martina Navratilova.

Jaeger turned professional at 14 and retired five years later after blowing out her shoulder in the 1985 French Open. She became a nun in 2006, and said she threw the 1983 final at the All England Club in an interview published Saturday in The Daily Mail.

"During the match I missed balls on purpose. I hit right to Martina and when I was getting whipped in the first set 6-0, I tried to look upset about it," said Jaeger, who lost 6-0, 6-3. "I glanced at my dad. He knew something was wrong because I never got nervous and always started great."

Jaeger said she got into an argument with her father the afternoon before the final and fled the home she was renting. She was only 18 in 1983, and she said she went next door to where Navratilova was staying in order to call a taxi.

"I was upset and kept pounding on the door and ringing the bell until Martina's trainer, Nancy Lieberman, opened the door and took me to the kitchen," Jaeger said. "Martina was sitting in the living room. She glanced round at me briefly with a look on her face to say that I'd interrupted her preparation for the final. She stayed seated and didn't look at me again.

"I couldn't have done that in her position, but all I thought at the time was: 'I've changed her routine and affected her. I can't go out and try in the final now,"' Jaeger added. "Martina missed her chance to help her neighbour who was suffering in order to fulfil her desire, so I had to make it right. I gave up my desire to give someone their help."

The win was the third of nine Wimbledon singles titles for Navratilova.