EXCLUSIVE: Jaeger's confession - I let Martina win the title

Want to know how to throw a Wimbledon final, how to make it appear as though the pressure of the occasion has addled your brain and paralysed your body?

As though the last place you want to be is on Centre Court with 15,000 pairs of eyes peering into your soul and millions of television viewers analysing your every stroke, when the reality is that you have already decided who will win that final - and it will not be you?

Sister act: Now a Dominican nun, Andrea Jaeger claims she did the right thing by handing the 1983 Wimbledon title to Martina Navratilova

Forget the insinuations that surround today's encounter between Venus and Serena Williams. Read, instead, the testimony of Andrea Jaeger, tennis prodigy-turned-nun, who - 25 years after appearing in the women's singles final against Martina Navratilova - claims for the first time that she threw the match.

The American was just 18 in 1983 but insists she could see her path to a clean conscience with startling clarity - which was to lose to the woman who would end up with nine Wimbledon titles.

Jaeger said: 'I'd beaten Martina on grass at Eastbourne just before the tournament, but the afternoon before the final, my dad saw an empty crisp packet in my room, which I wasn't supposed to have.

'He also asked me about something he heard that happened in the locker-room. I refused to answer. If I'd told him some of the things I encountered on the tennis circuit, he'd have hurt people and pulled me out of that final. Over the years, I took a few beatings from my father to protect players and staff.

'Dad was so angry that I would choose to protect them and not answer his question that I thought he was going to get his belt. I said I was sorry, grabbed my bra and my wallet and ran outside, aware dad wouldn't hit me in public.

'I wanted to order a cab, so I went to the flat next door where Martina was staying. 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.

Americans Andrea Jaeger and Martina Navratilova hold bouquets after their Women's Singles Final at Wimbledon, in 1983

'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''.

'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.

'I went on court in complete peace knowing that giving the match away was the right thing to do. I had to look myself in the mirror for the rest of my life. It meant more to Martina anyway.

'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. I glanced at my dad. He knew something was wrong because I never got nervous and always started great.

'I needed to make the second set closer and I did, but not close enough to worry Martina. At changes of ends, I didn't want to look at the crowd. I felt bad that I wasn't giving them the best match as the fans were so good to me over the years, but I also felt that if they knew what had happened they would understand.

'When Martina won the second set 6-3 - and the match - I was happy for her. She walked around with the trophy and everyone wanted her picture. In the press conference I said she played too well.

'God knows the truth. I knew the truth. I emailed Martina three years ago to say it doesn't take away from her win, but she never replied. Had I tried fully, would I have won? I don't have that answer. But I don't want people complaining now and asking for refunds.'