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Posted on Feb. 22, 2006 at 4:59 AM

RKM'S STEFFI GRAF TRIBUTE

 

 

From Tennis Week:
The Class of Her Class: As Hall Of Fame Induction Nears, Steffi Graf Discusses Her Life And Career
By Richard Pagliaro
04/29/2004

The balls fly by fast, slow and with the occasional slice she once imparted to spinning shots slithering through the grassy grounds of Wimbledon. An absorbed Steffi Graf watches every single one with a knowing smile of someone who's spent a lifetime chasing down bouncing balls before thousands of fans on courts across the world.


Nearly five years removed from her retirement that concluded one of the greatest championship careers in sport, Graf is finally back in the ball game and has never sounded happier.

It's not a training session for a return to tournament tennis, but a day in the life of an attentive mom that brings the 22-time Grand Slam singles champion close to the bouncing balls — basketballs, baseballs, footballs and yes even the occasional tennis ball — tossed around by two and a half year-old son Jaden Gil Agassi, whose famous father, Andre, made history as the oldest man to hold the No. 1 ranking last April.

As a player, Graf often requested early start times for her matches as she loved playing beneath the bright sun. As a mom, her typical day begins before the sun rises as she's up with her two kids: Jaden Gil and daughter Jaz Elle.

"The daily routine is waking up, probably quarter to six a.m. The day starts really early with very little sleep," Graf said. "Jaz is six months old. She is an absolute sweetheart. She's really the quiet one of the two. She smiles a lot. Apart from waking up early, she's a great sleeper during the night, but it's a big thing especially with our traveling. Jaden, he is an absolute sport nut. You can go to the biggest toy store and he can come out with a ball. Doesn't matter what size, what shape, as long as it's a ball, basketball, football, baseball, tennis ball... He loves to throw the ball, play basketball, golf. Whatever ball sport it is, he loves it. He's extremely active. He'll probably catch up with something in the sport, I doubt it, who knows, maybe tennis?"

How can you start a story about a woman widely regarded as one of the game's greatest players by talking about a play day at home with her kids? Because children have replaced championships as Graf's greatest concern and raising Jaden Gil and Jaz Elle with Agassi is clearly her primary passion and pursuit now.

In a conference call with the media today to discuss her impending induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 11th along with Stefan Edberg and Dorothy "Dodo" Cheney, the 34-year-old Graf spoke with genuine joy and honest humility about her induction and her career.

"It's like a dream come true to be recognized for what you've done in your career by the Hall of Fame. It's incredible. So thanks again and I appreciate it a lot."

The induction of the trio of champions coincides with the Hall of Fame's 50th Anniversary Celebration presented by Campbell’s, which will feature some of the greatest Hall of Famers from around the world reuniting on the hallowed grounds of the historic Hall of Fame on the weekend of July 9-11th. Part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration will include a once-in-a-lifetime "Parade of Hall of Famers" welcoming back tennis champions Chris Evert, John McEnroe, Rod Laver and more than 40 others to participate in a lively ceremony on Saturday, July 10th. Graf said she's looking forward to seeing some familiar faces.

"It's going to be such a privilege to be part of it," Graf said. "You know, tennis has been so extremely good to me, and it's been something that I've had such a strong passion for and obviously, I've watched and got to meet a lot of incredible, incredible tennis players of the past. And to be part of this and to meet some that I may not have met before, it's going to be very special to walk out there on the court."

The woman who held the top spot a record 377 weeks made tennis history by becoming the first player to win the "Golden Grand Slam" by winning the singles gold medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul after sweeping all four majors that year. It remains one of the most awesome achievements in tennis, yet the accomplishment took a physical and mental toll on Graf.

"In 1988, I was so exhausted I had nothing left," said Graf, sounding slightly drained just talking about it all these years later. "Obviously, I was happy when I won and I remember match point and beating Gabriela (Sabatini) at the end of my physical ability during that match (a 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 win in the 1988 U.S. Open final), starting to cramp and then winning that match was just incredible. But after that I just went through a stage where I had to get ready to leave for (the next event). It was so much for me at such a young age (19) that unfortunately, I was just exhausted to really soak it in and know what I've done. I just didn't have fun and with tennis the tough part is that you win such a big tournament and you're off to the next one...It was crazy. But if anything, I would say that winning the gold medal meant more at that point to me and I enjoyed it it so much more than crazy enough winning the Slam because I was a lot more relaxed."

The passion, perfection, professionalism and purpose Graf brought to her practices and matches undoubtedly helped drive her to become the only player — male or female — to win each of the four major singles titles at least four times, but it may also have contributed to the chronic injuries that forced her to travel with a trainer and ultimately contributed to her retirement at age 30 when the third-ranked Graf became the highest ranked player to ever announce her retirement. In retrospect, the difficulty she had in giving herself a break from her demanding regimen remains her sole source of regret though Graf is quick to add she wouldn't alter any aspect of her career.

"I practiced extremely hard, and I think looking back, I wish that I would have just taken it a little easier," Graf said. "I think, you know, what can I say? I have no regrets and I wouldn't change a thing. But I just wish that I would have had an easier time of getting away a little bit from the tennis and, you know, I always wanted to play. I wish I wouldn't have had that desire as much, because I think that would have kept me probably a little healthier. But I worked always hard and that took a toll at times physically, but other than that, I have to say, what kind of regrets can I have? I was very fortunate with my career, so I wouldn't change a thing. Look where I am right now, you know, through my career, I got to meet my husband. So I don't want to change one thing."

Watching her kids play ball is a pure pleasure for Graf, while watching her husband compete can evoke another emotion.

"You know what: you're just helpless when you watch," Graf said. "That's the tough part. I'm a very active person and I want to be able to control things, and I can't. So in a sense, it's harder watching (than it was playing). And obviously, you feel love: it's for him and that makes it even harder."

A popular topic in tennis today is the insistence that the game needs more personalities to attract new fans, but there is sometimes a tendency to confuse crassness with charisma. Graf competed with a quiet dignity for much of her career, and while she may not have been as emotionally accessible on the court as rivals such as Navratilova, Seles, Sanchez-Vicario, the perception of Graf as a distant Diva who kept her emotions as tightly confined as her blonde hair pulled back tightly from her face isn't accurate. This was a woman who deeply felt the pressure of immense expectations, the pain of body that was pounded by years of playing until it wracked her knees and back and the personal anguish of a private person whose father's embarrassing episodes of tax evasion charges and reported dalliances were played out in public.

Despite all she endured off the court, Graf was determined to be at her best on the court.

"I think most of it is just life. Obviously, as a younger person, there's less responsibilities, less weight on you, and it's just, it grows as you get older, responsibilities come up and independence, as well as, I think everybody was aware, which I was struggling at times physically," Graf said. "There were a lot of other things, struggles with that I had to cope with that not only had to do with tennis, but a lot of questions that I had to answer and trust that I had to give and believe. And as you just get older, I think you're more aware of things and you think harder."

The native of Mannheim, Germany succeeded Martina Navratilova as the world's top player and fans still debate which woman was a better champion. In a career that saw her claim 107 titles, Graf established rivalries with Navratilova, Gabriela Sabatini, Monica Seles, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and played many of the Open Era's top players ranging from Chris Evert to the Williams sisters. Asked to identify her top rival, Graf said Navratilova's serve-and-volley style made her the most intriguing opponent.

"The great thing is that because of the longevity of my career, I got to almost go through a few generations of players, and starting with Martina. I think Martina was a player that had such a different style than most of them that it made it most interesting to play against," Graf said. "Being a left-hander, coming in, you know, and me being someone that played from the baseline, you could always expect an exciting match. I feel like she put me on the edge probably the most, and then following up, like I said, with Gabriela, we had some incredible battles. The same I do have to say about Arantxa. We have played so many great matches, finals, Wimbledon final that I think back, and Paris. And then you can move to Monica, and then later on to Martina (Hingis) at the end and Lindsay (Davenport). I feel great about it, that I got to play against such a different mix of players, that it obviously made it bring more out of me."

Years after her retirement, Graf continues to exert influence on the game today. Current No. 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne has often recounted the life-altering moment when she at next to her mother watching her hero, Graf, play Seles in the French Open final.

Already an accomplished junior player herself, the young girl was so enthralled with excitement, she made a verbal vow to her mother on the spot. Someday, Justine Henin promised her mother Francoise, she would return Roland Garros as a professional player and take home the title to her family. A year ago, Henin-Hardenne did just that and spoke of Graf's influence on her. Today, Graf returned the compliment and cited Henin-Hardenne as her favorite player (aside from Agassi, of course).

"I'm impressed with what (Henin-Hardenne) has achieved the last few years, and I love her game. She's the only one that I haven't played kind of, so maybe I'll pick her," Graf said when asked to pick her favorite player. First of all, she has a one-handed backhand and that's not around much anymore."

In addition to the one-handed backhand, both Graf and Henin-Hardenne are adidas and Wilson players who both earned respect for their work-ethic and intensity.

"She's somebody that really, she works physically hard, she's very committed to the sport," Graf said of Henin-Hardenne. "She tried different aspects to make herself better. She maybe doesn't have the physical stature; she's not as tall as other players, but she'll make it up with speed, with working out a little more, and you can see it. I find little similarity in that sense in how I approach the game, and I guess that that's where I look at her and say, well, it's great to have the desire, and then obviously, there's a passion in how she plays and the dedication."

In the home of the Magic Kingdom — Orlando, Florida — tennis royalty met as the former No. 1 came face-to-face with the woman who now wears the crown last month.

"We were both there for a big convention for Adidas, and we were kind of waiting for our parts, basically, in that event," Graf said. "So we were just sitting around and so I just came up and said hello. We got to talk a little bit and I was asking how she's enjoying the game, and I thanked her because she did mention before that she was looking up to me as a player when she grew up. She mentioned that she was in the same airplane in Australia but she didn't feel like she wanted to intrude. I'm like, please, you can always come up and talk to me. I hope that I'm always approachable. So we had a nice conversation, and I was just telling her that, you know, I've been watching her and been really impressed in what she has achieved."

While the Graf-Henin-Hardenne connection is clear, perhaps the most surprising tennis-related revelation was Graf's selection of two players she admired most while growing up: one-time Wimbledon mixed doubles partner John McEnroe and the Wimbledon winner's fierce rival Jimmy Connors. It's somewhat surprising to hear a champion who competed with such composure to pick two of the most combustible characters of the Open Era as her favorites — sort of like seeing Sleeping Beauty starring in a Quentin Tarantino film — but Graf said she admired the way both aggressive Americans played the game.

"I can't say that I've had heroes," Graf said. "But who I really admired for their talent and the way they played was John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors."

The call began with Graf recalling her career and fittingly it concluded with the champion expressing her desire to get off the phone and get back to her kids. Tennis has always been a big part of Graf's life, but hearing her speak it's clear her family is her life and that the life experiences she's gained from tennis will be passed on to her children regardless of what sort of ball they choose to play with as they grow older.

"Life makes you who you are," Graf said. "And my career in tennis and my travels, the people that I've met, the cultures, I think that makes me who I am. Hopefully, that helps in taking care of my children and being all that I can be for them. I think it's who I am that makes me pass on what I have. (Tennis) doesn't make me who I am. I'm sure, or I hope, that it helps me be all I can be for my children."


 

1


Posted on Nov. 14, 2005 at 11:58 PM

Steffi Graf

 

AndreAgassi-Steffi Graf

 

Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf got married on october,22,2001.their two children are son,Jaden Gil and daughter Jazz Elle. Andre Agassi says secret to success is his wife,Steffi Graf. Steffi Graf inducted into hall of fame in 2004,introduced by her husband,Andre Agassi.Agassi speech brout Graf to tears.The full house of,5,087,could feel warmth and devotion of one for other. July 11, 2004 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION, NEWPORT ANDRE AGASSI TRANSCRIPT Presenting His Wife, Stefanie Graf, for International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Sunday, July 11, 2004 "I truly consider it a rare honor to stand here today before so many of you that have done so much for our sport and have meant so much to me and Stefanie. Looking out across this audience filled with warm friends and great champions I am overwhelmed with the history and the tradition of this moment." "As I attempt to find words worthy to introduce the person that has changed my life, I realize that the words have yet to be invented that are large enough, colorful enough or true enough to express the heart and soul of this woman that I love." "Stefanie, I wonder what can I possibly say to do justice to the way you've lived your life and to the lives that you have changed." "I began several years ago on the small chalkboard sitting in our kitchen, a tradition that I've carried on every night. At the end of each day I have picked up the chalk and tried to express the many things you mean to me. Sometimes just a brief line, sometimes a short story, but always just the overflow from a grateful heart, and yet after these months and years of writing to you each night I have never been at a shortage of ways to reflect the light you've brought into my life. And now how ironic that in these few short moments I need to capture in words these things I so deeply appreciate in you. Maybe I can say it to you this simple way." "Not long ago we were on the road and I looked out our hotel room window from the upper floor of a very tall high rise. I could see the rooftop of an old and beautiful cathedral. It was stunning with its carved stone and marble - all done so perfectly. I could not believe the work of art I was seeing and I wondered how many years did they take to create this and what drove them to be this committed? Then I began to appreciate something greater. I realized that when this rooftop was built it was by far the tallest building. In an age long before airplanes or skyscrapers these artists believed each day as they went about their work that no human being or one set of eyes would ever see their creation. How could they not have cut one corner? How could they consider no task routine? I can only think it came from a place deep inside - the need to be true to themselves was their reason and their reward." "All of this has helped me to understand you just a little better, never needing applause to be your best, only needing to give the best your soul could give to feel complete." "From the roar of voices inside the lines of center court to the quietness of a child's bedroom that generous soul that unbending strength that soft spoken integrity has not been shaken. The arena of tennis simply gave you a platform and an opportunity to refine those inner qualities even more." "You have always been about the action not about the words. You have never defined yourself by what you have achieved, rather you have achieved by how you define yourself. And even now, it has taken my breath away to see how you've quietly laid down your racket to pursue love and motherhood with the same zeal and high standards you have always demanded of yourself." "No, no one has ever known you to be infatuated by your own accomplishments. In fact, as I have often said, anyone who speaks with you will most likely forget the great things you have done within the first thirty seconds, but they will feel cared for, their feelings engaged and you never let go of their heart until they know that they are completely understood." "The history books will record for posterity your ability to embrace and rise above adversity, to play through injury and to win again, and again and again." "Far in the future people will analyze and discuss your place as the greatest of your time. And as those future generations hear of your strength and dominance they may be tempted to think that they know you, or the real heart of a giant that beats inside of you. But for those blessed enough to actually see first hand your quiet humility, to watch you represent your sport with unmistakable dignity and for those of us who are even more blessed to be lifted out of ourselves by your laughter, to be on the receiving end of your always generous heart, we will have etched forever in us something a statistic could never contain." "We have been touched deeply by your life. You have made us better and we will never be the same. Stefanie, you have spent many years of your life competing, but right here we stand in the ears of your children and right now in my heart, you have no rival." "Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you the greatest person I have ever known." --------------------------------------------------------------- STEFFI GRAF TRANSCRIPT I want to thank all of you for coming out here today. It is great to look out and see so many friends and familiar faces here. It's an incredible, incredible honor. Yesterday when we took a picture with members of the HOF and as I looked around and I saw all of these incredible, incredible champions, I felt so privileged and overwhelmed to be inducted here today. I want to thank the enshrinement committee for this honor. I want to also thank the HOF for allowing me this time to talk about some of the people that have made this possible. We're all defined by our relationships in our lives. Our accomplishments are the results of these relationships. I was blessed to have a great group of friends and family at my side during my career. I want them to know that this ceremony honors them as well (applause). My family isn't as big as Dodo's so don't worry (laughter), but nevertheless, extremely important: Dad, thank you for bringing tennis into my life and for me teaching me the sport in a way that I could always strive to get the best I can. Your effort and committment sent me on a wonderful journey that is still today going on. Thank you, Dad (applause). Mom, what can I say about you? I mean there's not enough time. Thank you for your support. You always gave me everything and beyond everything I needed. Thank you for the inspiration you showed everyday. Most of all, thank you for teaching me by your life how to care for person's heart more than for their circumstance (applause and Heidi wiping away tears). Mike, my brother, you've been always my protector. You're the younger brother, but you always felt like you're the older to me. Thank you for giving me a platform to come out of my shell and expose life's challenges (? not sure if she said "challenges" or "journeys" or some other word - Steffi's german accent came back for a second there) and for always, always, always looking out for me (applause). I'd also like to thank my coaches and trainers. One of my first coaches, Pavel, thank you for the time you gave me. Especially as a mother, I now appreciate even more how much you gave(?) of you world to commit so much to my career. Heinz, you're my coach on the court and my mentor off of it. You had the rare quality of understanding me better at times than I understood myself. However, what I appreciate most was your patient and sensitive way that allowed me to learn about life and myself. And the most, most important thing, you were the one that encouraged me to follow my heart with Andre (applause and laughter from Steffi). Joannie, your work and insight were invaluable to the length and quality of my career. You as well as many trainers and doctors around the world made it possible for me on the court to leave everything that I had. Thank you (applause). And last, I would like to thank the fans who supported me my whole career. Many of them that I see in the stands (big applause from the stands) and those that continue the passion we all have - the passion of tennis. Thank you. ___________________________________________________________________ Tony Trabert then presented Steffi with her enshrinement certificate

 


Posted on Nov. 14, 2005 at 11:48 PM

steffi graf forever

STEFFI GRAF-INFORMATION

STEFFI GRAF
Name: Stefanie Maria Graf
Date of Birth: 14th of June 1969
Place of Birth: Mannheim, Germany
Height: 1,76m
Weight: 64kg
Residence: Las Vegas, NV
Husband: Andre Agassi, married 22.10.2001
Children: Jaden Gil, born October 26th 2001Jaz Elle, born October 3rd 2003
Parents: Heidi and Peter Graf
Brother: Michael
Hobies: Design, Art, Photography, Music
since 1984: Ambassador of the "World Wildlife Fund (WWF)"
since 1998: Establishment of her Foundation "Children of Tommorrow
Awards :
1986 "Newcomer of the Year" COREL WTA TOUR
1987-90 "Player of the year" COREL WTA TOUR
1993-96 "Player of the year" COREL WTA TOUR
1998 "Most interesting Player of the year" COREL WTA TOUR
1999 "Prince of Asturias Award" one of the most important awards of Spain named after the apparent heir of Spain, Prince Felipe
1999 "German Television Award"
1999 "Athlete of the Century" for the category "female athlete in ballsports"
1999 "Female Athlete of the Year" by German TV broadcaster ARD
1999 "Female Sports Award of the last Decade" by ESPY, Las Vegas
1999 "Olympic Medal of Honor" granted by Dr. Antonio Samaranch, President of the IOC,Lausanne
2002 "Medal of Honor" decorated by the Prime MInisyer of the German Federal State Baden-Wuertemberg, Mr. Erwin Teufel
ANDREAGASSI-STEFFIGRAF:
Agassi and Graf got married in 2001,october22.their two children are son,Jadengil and daughter Jazelle.before 1999-Agassi and Brooke shields got married in 1997.but divorced in 1998 ending.in 1999-Agassi wins french open in men's singles and Steffi wins french open in women's singles .In september1999, AGASSI&GRAF FALL IN LOVE.on october22,2001,they got married.And thy have two children now.Q)what happend after steffi came into Agassi life?A)July 11, 2004
ANDRE AGASSI TRANSCRIPTPresenting His Wife, Stefanie Graf, for International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Sunday, July 11, 2004
"I truly consider it a rare honor to stand here today before so many of you that have done so much for our sport and have meant so much to me and Stefanie. Looking out across this audience filled with warm friends and great champions I am overwhelmed with the history and the tradition of this moment."
"As I attempt to find words worthy to introduce the person that has changed my life, I realize that the words have yet to be invented that are large enough, colorful enough or true enough to express the heart and soul of this woman that I love."
"Stefanie, I wonder what can I possibly say to do justice to the way you've lived your life and to the lives that you have changed."
"I began several years ago on the small chalkboard sitting in our kitchen, a tradition that I've carried on every night. At the end of each day I have picked up the chalk and tried to express the many things you mean to me. Sometimes just a brief line, sometimes a short story, but always just the overflow from a grateful heart, and yet after these months and years of writing to you each night I have never been at a shortage of ways to reflect the light you've brought into my life. And now how ironic that in these few short moments I need to capture in words these things I so deeply appreciate in you. Maybe I can say it to you this simple way."
"Not long ago we were on the road and I looked out our hotel room window from the upper floor of a very tall high rise. I could see the rooftop of an old and beautiful cathedral. It was stunning with its carved stone and marble - all done so perfectly. I could not believe the work of art I was seeing and I wondered how many years did they take to create this and what drove them to be this committed? Then I began to appreciate something greater. I realized that when this rooftop was built it was by far the tallest building. In an age long before airplanes or skyscrapers these artists believed each day as they went about their work that no human being or one set of eyes would ever see their creation. How could they not have cut one corner? How could they consider no task routine? I can only think it came from a place deep inside - the need to be true to themselves was their reason and their reward."
"All of this has helped me to understand you just a little better, never needing applause to be your best, only needing to give the best your soul could give to feel complete."
"From the roar of voices inside the lines of center court to the quietness of a child's bedroom that generous soul that unbending strength that soft spoken integrity has not been shaken. The arena of tennis simply gave you a platform and an opportunity to refine those inner qualities even more."
"You have always been about the action not about the words. You have never defined yourself by what you have achieved, rather you have achieved by how you define yourself. And even now, it has taken my breath away to see how you've quietly laid down your racket to pursue love and motherhood with the same zeal and high standards you have always demanded of yourself."
"No, no one has ever known you to be infatuated by your own accomplishments. In fact, as I have often said, anyone who speaks with you will most likely forget the great things you have done within the first thirty seconds, but they will feel cared for, their feelings engaged and you never let go of their heart until they know that they are completely understood."
"The history books will record for posterity your ability to embrace and rise above adversity, to play through injury and to win again, and again and again."
"Far in the future people will analyze and discuss your place as the greatest of your time. And as those future generations hear of your strength and dominance they may be tempted to think that they know you, or the real heart of a giant that beats inside of you. But for those blessed enough to actually see first hand your quiet humility, to watch you represent your sport with unmistakable dignity and for those of us who are even more blessed to be lifted out of ourselves by your laughter, to be on the receiving end of your always generous heart, we will have etched forever in us something a statistic could never contain."
"We have been touched deeply by your life. You have made us better and we will never be the same. Stefanie, you have spent many years of your life competing, but right here we stand in the ears of your children and right now in my heart, you have no rival."
"Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you the greatest person I have ever known."
Steffi graf became happiest now.
STEFFIGRAF-ON COURT:-
At age 13, Steffi won the German Junior 18s Championship and the European Junior 18s Championship.
18th October 1982 - Steffi turned professional and the next day played her first match against Tracy Austin in Filderstadt, Germany. Steffi lost 4-6,0-6. She was 13 years and 4 months old.
May 1983 - Steffi played through the qualification rounds of her first Grand Slam event - the French Open - and entered the main draw. She lost in the second round 0-6,6-7 to Beverly Mould of South Africa who is one of the few players to have a winning record against Steffi (1-0)! At this event, Steffi, being only 13, was mistaken for a ballgirl!
June 1983 - Steffi, playing on grass (at Roehampton, England) for the first time as a pro, lost in the second round of the Wimbledon qualies 6-1,3-6,2-6 to Nerida Gregory of the US, who maintains a winning record against Steffi too (1-0)!
22nd October 1983 - Steffi gets to her first pro quarter-final. It is at Brighton and she lost to Ma. Christine Calleja of France 6-7,7-5,4-6.
November 1983 - Steffi played in her first Australian Open and retired after the first set of her first round match against Liz Smylie of Australia 1-6.
June/July 1984 - Steffi made her first impact at Wimbledon. In a round of 16 match, Steffi came very close to the quarter-finals but lost a heartbreaker to Englishwoman Jo Durie 6-3,3-6,7-9.
August 1984 - Steffi won the Olympic Demonstration Event at the Los Angeles Games defeating Yugoslav Sabrina Goles 1-6,6-3,6-4. As a demonstration event, no medals were awarded. Steffi was the youngest competitor in the tournament.
August 1984 - Steffi played in her first U.S. Open and lost to compatriot Sylvia Hanika 4-6,2-6.
21st October 1984 - Steffi played in her first final at Filderstadt but lost to Catarina Lindqvist of Sweden 1-6,4-6.
16 February 1985 - Steffi first match against Chris Evert - a 4-6,2-6 loss for Steffi.
September 1985 - Steffi won a highly significant match at the U.S. Open in the quarter-finals against Pam Shriver 7-6(7-4)6-7(4-7),7-6(7-4). On a very hot day, Steffi moved to her first Grand Slam semi-final, after three tiebreak sets.
7th September 1985 - In the semis, Steffi lost to Martina Navratilova 2-6,3-6. This was Steffi's first match against Martina. Steffi was ranked number 6 in the world at the end of 1985. She was 16.
13th April 1986 - Steffi won her first title, defeating Chris Evert at the Family Circle Cup, 6-4,7-5. Having won her first title, the dam was broken and Steffi quickly won 3 more titles in quick succession. This was Steffi's first win over Chris Evert and she would never lose to Evert again.
19th May 1986 - Steffi won her first German Championship and at the same time had her first win against Martina 6-2,6-3.
7th and 8th February 1987 - At the Lipton, Steffi defeated in succession, in the semis and the final, Martina Navratilova (6-3,6-2) and Chris Evert (6-1,6-2). Steffi was the third seed.
5th June 1987 - Steffi won her first Grand Slam title - the French Open - on a double fault by Martina Navratilova. The score 6-4,4-6,8-6. Steffi had trailed 3-5 in the final set.
In 1987 Steffi lost to Martina in the finals of Wimbledon (5-7,3-6) and the U.S. Open (6-7,1-6).
July/August 1987 - In Vancouver, Germany defeated the United States to win the Federation Cup. Steffi had defeated Evert 6-3,6-4 but it was the doubles match that decided it. Steffi and Claudia Kohde-Kilsch came from behind to win 1-6,7-5,6-4 against Chris Evert and Pam Shriver.
16th August 1987 - Steffi defeated Chris Evert 6-3,6-4 at the Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, not knowing that this victory gave her the number 1 ranking until her father told her after the match. Steffi would hold onto the number 1 ranking for a record 186 weeks - until the 10th March 1991.
22nd November 1987 - Steffi won her first Masters (Virginia Slims Championships) by defeating Gabriela Sabatini 4-6,6-4,6-0,6-4 - her first 4 set match. Steffi ended 1987 having lost just two matches (75-2).
In 1988, Steffi showed what being the number 1 player in the world meant. She won all 4 Grand Slam titles and added an Olympic Gold Medal. All in all, Steffi won 11 titles in 1988 and had a 72-3 record. Her Golden Grand Slam remains unique. Only two other women players have won a calendar year Grand Slam - Maureen Connolly in 1953 and Margaret Smith Court in 1970.

10th June 1988 - Steffi defeated Natasha Zvereva 6-0, 6-0 in just 34 minutes to win her second French Open title.
6th July 1988 - Steffi won her first Wimbledon title, playing tennis of such high quality. Trailing 5-7,0-2 against Martina Navratilova, Steffi raised her game to a level that few, if any, had ever witnessed before and won 12 of the next 13 games to take the title 5-7,6-2,6-1. Definitely one of the finest matches in Steffi's career.
8th June 1989 - Steffi played her first match against Monica Seles in the semi-finals of the French Open. Steffi won 6-3,3-6,6-3.
In 1989, Steffi continued her incredible run, winning three of the Slams - the Australian, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. She lost the French title to Arantxa Sanchez 6-7(6-8),6-3,5-7 thereby just missing a second consecutive Grand Slam. Steffi considered 1989 a better year than 1988. She won 14 titles and had a 86-2 record.
27th January 1990 - Steffi won the Australian Open with a 6-3,6-4 over Mary Joe Fernandez.
9th June 1990 - Steffi lost to Monica Seles in the final of the French Open 6-7,4-6.
5th July 1990 - Steffi lost to Zina Garrison-Jackson 3-6,6-3,4-6 in the semi-final of Wimbledon.
8th September 1990 - Steffi lost to Gabriela Sabatini 2-6,6-7(4) in the final of the U.S. Open.
30th September 1990 - Steffi won the first tournament ever played in Leipzig by defeating Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 6-1,6-1. What made this such a special occasion was that Steffi was playing in what used to be East Germany but was now part of a united Germany. In a very moving award ceremony, Steffi, moved to tears, donated her prize money of $70,000 to aid in the development of tennis in the Eastern part of her country. She was given an extended standing ovation.
1990 was a mixed year for Steffi - only 1 Grand Slam title, a 72-5 record and 9 titles! Anyone else would consider this a wonderful year.
February 1991 - This may have been a low point in Steffi's career as she actually considered quitting tennis. 1990 had been a mediocre year for her high standards - 72 wins and 5 losses - only one Grand Slam title! - and when 1991 started out with a quarter-final loss in the Australian Open to Jana Novotna (7-5,4-6,6-8) and then a quarter-final loss in Tokyo a week later to Gabriela Sabatini (6-4,4-6,6-7(6)), Steffi was discouraged. Steffi didn't win a title in 1991 until the 31st March when she beat Monica Seles in San Antonio (6-4,6-3). That was the tonic she needed.
10th March 1991 - Steffi relinquished the number 1 ranking to Monica Seles becoming number 2. She had completed a record 186 consecutive weeks as number 1.
6th July 1991 - Steffi, getting back on track, had a come from behind win against Sabatini in the final at Wimbledon (6-4,3-6,8-6).
5th August 1991 - Steffi regained the number 1 ranking for one week only - enough to be seeded number 1 in the U.S. Open. Steffi lost to Martina in the semis 6-7(2-7),7-6(8-6),4-6 in the Open.
19th August 1991 - Steffi regained the number 1 ranking again.
8th September 1991 - Steffi slipped to number 2 behind Seles again.
October 1991 - The Steffi Graf Youth Tennis Centre was founded in Leipzig.
2nd October 1991 - Steffi won her 500th match - 6 months ahead of the pace set by Chris Evert in her own career.
Steffi was unable to play the Australian Open in 1992.
6th June 1992 - Perhaps one of Steffi's most heartbreaking losses occured in the final of the French Open. She lost to Monica Seles 2-6,6-3,8-10. The play was very high quality. Steffi trailed most of the final set. Trailing 3-5 and with Steffi serving, Steffi had to fight off 4 Championship points for Seles before she won that game. Steffi then took the next two games to lead 6-5 and then 7-6, but Seles levelled to 7-7. Seles then led 7-8 and Steffi broke service to level at 8-8. Seles won the next two games. One commiseration was that the crowd at Roland Garros gave Steffi a rapturous reception that moved her to tears.
4th July 1992 - Steffi exacted sweet revenge on Seles by whipping her 6-2,6-1 in the final of Wimbledon.
July 1992 - In Frankfurt, Steffi led Germany to a win over Spain to win the Fed Cup. Steffi defeated Sanchez Vicario 6-4,6-2 in the final.
August 1992 - Steffi lost to Jennifer Capriati (6-3,3-6,4-6) in the final of the Olympics in Barcelona.
January 1993 - Germany won the Hopman Cup for the first time defeating Spain 2-1. Steffi defeated Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 6-4, 6-3; Michael Stich beat Emilio Sanchez 7-5, 6-4. The Spaniards won the mixed doubles.
30th January 1993 - Steffi lost to Monica Seles 6-4,3-6,2-6 in the final of the Australian Open.
14th March 1993 - Steffi won her 600th match.
April 1993 - A so-called fan of Steffi's stabbed Monica Seles in Hamburg. This horrible event obviously damaged Monica Seles, but also had a big effect on Steffi.
5th June 1993 - Steffi defeated Mary Joe Fernandez 4-6,6-2,6-4 in the final of the French Open.
7th June 1993 - Steffi regained the number 1 ranking.
3rd July 1993 - Steffi defeated Jana Novotna 7-6(6),1-6,6-4 in the final of Wimbledon.
11th September 1993 - Steffi defeated Helena Sukova 6-3,6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open. Steffi is the only player, man or woman, to have won all 4 Grand Slam titles in the '90s.
21st November 1993 - Steffi defeated Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in the finals of the Masters (Virginia Slims Championships) 6-1,6-4,3-6,6-1.
29th January 1994 - Steffi blitzed Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 6-0,6-2 in the final of the Australian Open and thereby completed a non-calendar year Grand Slam, only the second woman to do so. Martina Navratilova was the other in 1983-84.
6th February 1994 - In Tokyo, Steffi played Martina for the last time and defeated her 6-2,6-4 in the final of the Pan Pacific Open. This win leveled their head-to-head record at 9 wins each.
7th February 1994 - Steffi's ranking average hit 441.1746 which is the highest ranking average ever achieved by any player. Steffi had 6617.6185 points divided by 15 tournaments to arrive at this average. She held on to this average for three weeks until
28th February 1994 when it slipped to 429.8512 which was based upon 6877.6185 points divided by 16 tournaments. On the 21st March, 1994 Steffi's points actually peaked at 6951.6185 points which when divided by 16 tournaments yielded an average of 434.4762.
February/March 1994 - Steffi won three tournaments within a three week period - winning in Indian Wells on 27th February, in Delray Beach on 6th March and at Key Biscayne on
19th March. Since the Lipton is played over 10 days, the win at Key Biscayne was, technically, not precisely within a three week period. It was still a great achievement.
19th March 1994 - In the final of the Lipton against Natasha Zvereva, Steffi lost the first set thereby ending a streak of 57 consecutive sets without loss. The streak started in the final set of the 1993 Masters and extended through 27 consecutive matches in 1994, breaking a record set by Monica Seles in 1990.
3rd June 1994 - Mary Pierce defeated Steffi 6-2,6-2 in the semi-final of the French Open.
21st June 1994 - Defending Champion Steffi lost in the first round of Wimbledon to Lori McNeil 5-7,6-7(5).
21st August 1994 - In a final that would take six hours to complete owing to rain delays, and with Steffi receiving treatment for her painful back, Steffi lost to Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 5-7,6-1,6-7(4) at the Canadian Open. This was the most courageous and inspiring match that one can imagine. Steffi, refusing to give into the agony she was suffering and with the constant rain delays, won the hearts of the crowd in Montréal. Steffi was in tears and she wasn't the only one!
10th September 1994 - Once again bothered by her back, Steffi lost the final of the U.S. Open to Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. Steffi won the first set 6-1 in 22 minutes, but lost the second 6-7(3) and the third 4-6.
6th February 1995 - Steffi lost the number 1 ranking to Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. She would regain the top position on the 20th February for one week. After an extensive layoff which meant missing the Australian Open, Steffi returned to tennis in 1995 winning titles in Paris, Delray Beach, Key Biscayne and Houston. The Houston title was her 90th title.
10th April 1995 - Steffi regained the number 1 ranking.
15th May 1995 - Steffi slipped to number 2 again behind Arantxa Sanchez Vicario.
10th June 1995 - Steffi defeated Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 7-5,4-6,6-0 in the final of the French Open. Steffi's 4th French Open title. Steffi regained the number 1 ranking again - which she has held ever since.
6th July 1995 - Steffi won her 750th match defeating Jana Novotna 5-7,6-4,6-2 in the semi-finals of Wimbledon.
8th July 1995 - Steffi defeated Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 4-6,6-1,7-5 to claim her 6th Wimbledon title. This match featured a titanic 11th game of the third set that featured 32 points, 13 deuces, 8 game points for Arantxa, 6 break points for Steffi, 1 ace (Arantxa) and no double faults. It lasted 20 minutes and Steffi won it. Very possibly one of the finest matches ever played.
15th August 1995 - Steffi and Monica Seles to share the number 1 ranking for a period.
9th September 1995 - Steffi defeated Monica Seles 7-6(8-6),0-6,6-3 in the final of the U.S. Open. This match was the first ever match between two co-number 1 players. Steffi's 4th U.S. Open title. This was Steffi's 18th Grand Slam title - tying Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert.
8th October 1995 - Steffi reached the 300 week mark as number 1 player in the world.
20th November 1995 - Steffi defeated Anke Huber in a thrilling five set final at the Masters (Corel WTA Tour Championships) 6-1,2-6,6-1,4-6,6-3. This was Steffi's first five set match.
30th March 1996 - Steffi became the only player, man or woman, to win a fifth Lipton title and the only player, man or woman, to have won three Lipton tiles in succession. She defeated Chanda Rubin 6-1,6-3.
13th May 1996 - Steffi became the player, either male or female, who has been number one in the world the longest. On this day, Steffi had been number 1 for a total of 332 weeks - over 6 years.
8th June 1996 - Steffi won her 5th French Open Championship defeating Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 6-3,6-7(4)10-8. This victory was considered by Steffi to be one of her greatest. Twice in the final set, Sanchez Vicario was broken by Steffi as she served for the Championship. This title gave her 19 career Grand Slam titles, moving her ahead of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova and tying Helen Wills Moody.
6th July 1996 - Steffi won her 7th Wimbledon Championship by defeating Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 6-3,7-5. She moved into sole second place with 20 Grand Slam titles ahead of Helen Wills Moody. This win also marked Steffi's 100th career title.
13th July 1996 - Steffi won her 800th career singles match 6-1,3-6,6-2 against Judith Wiesner.
8th September 1996 - Steffi won her 5th US Open Championship, defeating Monica Seles 7-5,6-4. Steffi's 21st Grand Slam title. The second year in succession that Steffi has won all the Grand Slam events she has played in.
16th September 1996 - Steffi marks 350th week as world number one.
5th October 1996 - Steffi has to default a match in Leipzig against Anke Huber, marking only the second time in her career that she has had to withdraw from a tournament when it was already in progress. The first time was in November 1983 against Liz Smylie at the Australian Open.
24th November 1996 - Steffi won her fifth Masters title defeating Martina Hingis is a five set match - 6-3,4-6,6-0,4-6,6-0
23rd December 1996 - Steffi marked her seventh year (364th week) as the number one ranked player on the planet.
1st January 1997 - Steffi was named the 1996 World Champion by the International Tennis Federation - this for the seventh time which is a world record.
17th January 1997 - Steffi won her 45th consecutive Grand Slam match which tied the record with Martina Navratilova.
2nd February 1997 - Owing to a patella tendon injury in her left knee, Steffi had to default the final in Tokyo to Hingis and started a prolonged injury break.
19th March 1997 - Steffi was elected WTA Player of The Year by her peers for the eighth time in her career and a record eighth time in ten years. She was also elected the Most Exciting Player by tennis fans.
31st March 1997 - Steffi slipped to number 2 in the rankings, after not being able to defend 1996 points due to injury. She had been number 1 for a record 377 weeks.
12th May 1997 - Steffi returned to the Tour after her second longest period of injury.
16th May 1997 - Steffi lost to Amanda Coetzer 0-6, 1-6 in Berlin - her worst match ever.
9th June 1997 - Steffi slipped to ranking position #3 - the first time since March 1987 that she has not been ranked either #1 or #2.
10th June 1997 - Steffi Graf had a second operation on her left knee and started another prolonged injury break.
16th February 1998 - Steffi Graf returns to tennis in Hannover at the Faber Grand Prix after her longest layoff lasting eight months. She plays a doubles match with Barbara Rittner and they defeat Meike Babel and Wiltrud Probst 6-3,6-1.
10th March 1998 - Steffi Graf moved past Virginia Wade on the career wins list notching up win number 840 and taking position 3 after Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert.
12th March 1998 - Steffi injured her left hamstring in a match v. Lindsay Davenport at Indian Wells, defaulting the match. This injury led to an injury in her right ankle while practising on another comeback attempt.
4th May 1998 - In an interview in Focus, a German newsmagazine, Steffi admits that she may have to retire. She forgoes any attempt at a return to the clay court season and decides to try for Wimbledon instead.
8th June 1998 - Steffi dropped off the singles rankings as she no longer had played the required minimum of three tournaments in the past twelve months to have a ranking.
10th June 1998 - Steffi returns to the Tour in Birmingham on grass. She defeated her friend Rennae Stubbs 5-7, 6-2, 6-4.
18th June 1998 - Steffi lost her 100th career match and it took nearly 16 years!. That's an amazingly low average of just 6.5 losses a year. The match was against Anna Kournikova and the score was 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-4 to Kournikova.
29th August 1998 - Steffi plays in her first final since May 1997 and wins it 6-4, 6-1 against Jana Novotna. This marks her 104th career title and the 13th year in succession where Steffi has won at least one title.
7th November 1998 - Steffi Graf became the player who has earned more money than any other female athlete ever bypassing Martina Navratilova.
8th November 1998 - After all the injury problems of 1997 and 1998, Steffi won her 105th career title defeating Nathalie Tauziat in the final of the Sparkassen Cup 6-3, 6-4.
November 1998 - Steffi followed her tournament win in Leipzig with another one in Philadelphia, but what made this month so memorable was that in the space of five days she defeated the top three ranked players - Davenport (1), Hingis (2) and Novotna (3). Then to ice that cake, she also defeated two other top ten players Monica Seles (6) and Nathalie Tauziat (9) to finish a spectacular two weeks. Defeating the top three players in five days has never been done before by one player - Graf set another mark. This mark was even more special in that there were three players currently or formerly ranked at number 1 in this streak.
11th May 1999 - Steffi played her 1000th game and defeated Sandra Nacuk of Yugoslavia 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. Aptly, it happened in Berlin.
5th June 1999 - After a drought since September 1996, Steffi won her 22nd Grand Slam title, her 6th French Open title by defeating Martina Hingis 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Steffi did this at age 29 years, 356 days. On the way to the title, Steffi defeated the number 3 player (Seles), the number 2 player (Davenport) and the number 1 player (Hingis) in consecutive matches. This was the first time this has been done in a Grand Slam. Steffi announced that this was her last match at Roland Garros.
28th June 1999 - Steffi won her 900th career match against Clijsters in the round of 16 at Wimbledon.
4th July 1999 - Steffi lost to Davenport in the final of The Championships 4-6, 5-7. She announced that this was her last match at Wimbledon.
13th August 1999 - Steffi announced her retirement from tennis2004:steffi graf inducted into Hall of fame.
STEFFI GRAF-OFFCOURT:-
Steffi was the ambassador of manycommercials&organisations.
Like Adidas,opel,wilson,barilla,rexona,dunlop,apollonaris,wwf,..etc.
steffi appearce in many magazine covers-forbes,stern,amica,gala,gq,sportsillustrated,hello,times,l'equipe,tennis,totalsport,...etc.1991: Steffi Graf Youth Tennis Center was founded and dedicated October 1991 inLeipzig,germany.1996:Established:
In 1996, Steffi Graf founded the Steffi Graf Sport GmbH (SGS) with specific aims: bringing management and business-associated activities more in line with her character; and establishing a sports-marketing and consulting firm. In July 2000 the name of the representing company changed to Stefanie Graf Marketing GmbH & Co.KG (SGM)
Goals:
At first, the company's main objectives were focused on the marketing, support and promotion of Steffi Graf, and on the Steffi Graf Team (founded 1997)
In 1997 , however, the company organized and promoted the Fed Cup, thereby taking its first steps into event marketing.
Currently the main focus lies in the develpment of the brand STEFANE l Graf, and the business relations with her lisencing partners.
1998: Steffi is the founder and Chairperson of Children for Tomorrow, a non-profitfoundation with the goal of implementing and developing projects to support childrenwho have been traumatised by war or other crises, and she is directly involved in therunning of the foundation and makes regular financial contributions to theorganization.
1999:steffi is the ambassador of WWF SINCE 1984 .Appearce in a 1999 Wildlife Foundation calendar
2002: August : : 2002
Steffi presents her new bag collection
For the first time Stefanie Graf and Goldpfeil AG are presenting a handbag collection based on the joint experience of a very demanding woman who has great style and the know how of a highly reputed international leathergoods manufacturer. The concept of perfection dating back to Stefanie Graf’s days as a champion sportswoman has always served as a source of inspiration to me. “In all the years I’ve lived abroad I have never met a person who has shown as much commitment and followed it through to the extent Mrs. Graf has in collaborating on the project,” states Mr Hans-Jorg Seeburger, Executive Board Chairman of EganaGoldpfeil International Holdings Lt., summing up his positive experience in collaborating with Stefanie Graf.
Goldpfeil will present Stefanie Graf Bag wear exclusively to the world market at the upcoming Leathergoods Show in Offenbach Germany. As of October the handbags will be available in fine stores all over the world. “This is it and I must say, I’m a little bit proud to be presenting the first results today,” Stefanie Graf acknowledges.
2003:Steffi and Andre advertise for Telekom.Since May 2002 Stefanie Graf and her husband Andre Agassi have been advertising for the Deutsche Telekom. The Center of these advertisements are the services provided by t-mobile with their partners in Great Britain, Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany.Currently the spot "Try to find me" is running in all countries.It demonstrates all possibilites of modern communication, for example taking pictures with a cellular phone and sending these to another cellular phone, an e-mail address or a PDA.
2004:A filmography released on steffigraf hall of fame ceremony.her charecter is "herself"
2005:Steffi and Andre are ambassadors of luxery hotels in Idaho.
Steffi Graf has once again become an ambassador for Adidas. Thus a partnership of many years goes another round. Among other things planned, a new sportwear collection, will be released in the spring 2006. The co-operation was celebrated with the "Brand Games" in Orlando/Florida in the presence by sport greats from past and present like Muhammed Ali and Justine Hennin Hardenne.

 

STEFFIGRAF-TOPICS:

 

Steffi graf is good,great-the christian

HALLOF FAME TRANSCRIPTS

Sports Icons of the 20th Century

L'Equipe interview

 

www.steffi-graf.net

steffi forever

 

 

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Posted on Nov. 10, 2005 at 10:17 PM


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