Venus Williams won the first of her 44 singles titles as a 17-year-old in 1998. (Jerry Laizure/AP)

Memory Lane is a recurring feature in which we dig through photo and video archives for classic moments.

Fifteen years ago Friday, a 17-year-old Venus Williams won the 1998 IGA Tennis Classic in Oklahoma City for her first WTA title. Wearing a white Reebok dress and beads in her hair, Venus broke through in her third career final by defeating South Africa’s Joannette Kruger 6-3, 6-2.

Ranked No. 14 at the time, Venus earned her spot in the final with a 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-3 victory against top seed and world No. 2 Lindsay Davenport in the semifinals.

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Memory Lane is a recurring feature in which we dig through photo and video archives for classic moments.

On Jan. 10, 1982, top-ranked John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, then No. 3, almost came to blows during the final of the Michelob Light Challenge in Rosemont, Ill. The match had everything fans had come to expect from the Connors-McEnroe rivalry. It turned into a tense five-set affair full of code violations, point penalties and more arguments than you’d see at the Supreme Court.

In the fifth set, Connors grew tired of McEnroe’s delay tactics and crossed over the net to give him a piece of his mind. And to stick a finger in his face, which McEnroe swatted away before officials finally stepped in to separate the two.

Rewatching that clip, what strikes me most is how nonchalant the announcers are about the confrontation. Nowadays, Serena Williams yells at a linesperson from 15 feet away, and it’s front-page news. Marcos Baghdatis smacks four rackets into the ground and the Internet is all “Oh, my gosh! Can you believe what this crazy guy just did???” Here, Connors crosses the net, verbally abuses McEnroe, the two get physical and the commentators sound like they’re bored. Oh, how times have changed.

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Chef David Zappala and the 1997 U.S. Davis Cup team (from left: Jonathan Stark, Pete Sampras, captain Tom Gullikson, Michael Chang and Todd Martin) spent Thanksgiving in Sweden ahead of the finals against the Swedes. (Cicci Jonson/AP)

Memory Lane is a recurring feature in which we dig through photo and video archives for classic moments.

I have been asked repeatedly by a number of Brits in London about Thanksgiving. They don’t seem to understand how Americans can possibly eat turkey both on Thanksgiving and Christmas, to which I respond: A) Never underestimate our gluttonous abilities and, B) Last time I checked, America was all about freedom and part of that freedom is being able to eat turkey more than once a year.

So go nuts, America. Eat your turkey. Your 1997 Davis Cup team implores you.

Would this be a good time to mention that Sweden won that Davis Cup final 5-0? Tryptophan: The gluten of the ’90s.

Memory Lane is a recurring feature in which we dig through photo and video archives for classic moments.

Roger Federer kicks off the ATP World Tour Finals on Sunday against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, seeking to become the first player to win the year-end championships six times. Here’s a look back at his first season-ending title, in 2003, when he demolished Andre Agassi 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 in the final of what was known as the Tennis Masters Cup.

Ivan Lendl makes an appearance on Late Night With David Letterman in 1986. (AP)

Memory Lane is a recurring feature in which we dig through photo and video archives for classic moments.

Lurch was on Letterman?  Who knew?

But seriously, he gave a great interview on Letterman. Very personable, well-spoken and entertaining. Get on with your bad self, Lurch! (He comes on at the 10:22 mark.)

Steffi Graf is accompanied by models presenting a new "Steffi Graf" jeans fashion collection in 1995 in Berlin. (Reinhard Krause/Reuters)

Memory Lane is a recurring feature in which we dig through photo and video archives for classic moments.

It’s unclear whether Steffi’s doing a fashion show or being led to her sentencing hearing for 24 counts of involuntary ball-slaughter (zing!). But can we all just take a moment and reflect on why anyone, let alone fashion designers, thought shoulder pads were a good idea? I mean, really.

Memory Lane is a recurring feature in which we dig through photo and video archives for classic moments.

It feels like forever since we’ve seen Kim Clijsters hit a tennis ball, and her virtual disappearance due to injury after the Australian Open was one of the least talked about stories as the year wore on. Here’s hoping she heals up for the 2012 season, which very likely will be her last. Because as this video shows, no one defends like Kimmy does. No one.

Take a look at this incredible set point save by Clijsters against Maria Sharapova in 2006 at the Acura Classic in San Diego. Run, Kim, run!

Gael Monfils reacts after toppling Roger Federer in the 2010 Paris Masters semifinals. (Landov)

Memory Lane is a recurring feature in which we dig through photo and video archives for classic moments.

Gael Monfils bids a soulful and tender “adieu” to the lightning-quick courts in Bercy that helped him make back-to-back finals in 2009 and 2010. This year? Out in the second round.

Patrick Rafter leans over the barrier to shake hands with a fan in the 1996 Marlboro Tennis Championship in Hong Kong. (Anat Givon/AP)

Memory Lane is a recurring feature in which we dig through photo and video archives for classic moments.

Patrick Rafter was always a man of the people. Here he gives an adoring fan a moment to remember, gives those behind the lens an adoring view to remember, while getting a lesson on the cool way to wear a snap-back flat-brim. Everyone wins!

Andre Agassi (fourth from left) poses with imitators during a tennis festival in New York's Central Park. (Clark Jones/AP)

Memory Lane is a recurring feature in which we dig through photo and video archives for classic moments.

Goatees? Check. Nike bandannas? Check. Oversized patterned polo shirts? Check and check. Sufficient hair styles to satisfy the variety of ecosystems that have sat atop Agassi’s dome? Check.