Steffi Graf

Stefanie Maria Graf was born in Mannheim on the 14th of June, 1969. She has a brother (Michael) and four dogs. She will pass on to tennis history as one of the greatest ever players.

She began playing at the age of four, and became a professional player in 1982. She entered the top ten first time in 1985, and became #1 in 1987, position she held for 186 weeks, the longest held #1 in tennis history. She has won 22 Grand Slams and a total of 107 titles, until she retired in 1999.

She plays right-handed and features a rich game, with exquisite technique and a very strong will in the court. Steffi bases her game in technical finesse rather than physical prowess, with an excellent execution of all moves.

Some selected records and stats

• Steffi is the only player (man or woman) to have won a Golden Grand Slam - winning the four Grand Slam titles - the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open - in a single calendar year - 1988. In that year, Steffi also won the Olympic Gold Medal in Seoul - hence the name Golden Grand Slam.
• Steffi is the only player (either male or female) to have won all four of the Grand Slam events at least 4 times.
• Steffi is the only player (either male or female) to have won each of the four Grand Slam events in singles and to have succesfully defended each and every one
• Steffi is the only player (either male or female) to have won all four Grand Slam singles titles in the 80s as well as in the 90s
• Steffi holds the record for consecutive appearances in Grand Slam finals at 13 - from the 1987 French Open up to the 1990 French Open
• Between 1986 and 1996, Steffi won at least 7 titles every year. Also she won at least one Grand Slam title every year between 1987 and 1996.
• Steffi holds a winning record against every significant player she has ever played, except Martina Navratilova (9-9) and Tracy Austin (1-1).
• She has won 88,7% of all the games she has played as a pro (902-115). In 1989, she only lost 2 matches and won 86. She also has won 108 finals, and lost only 30.

Grand slams

• Roland Garros: 1987, 1988, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999. (6)
• Australian Open: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994. (4)
• Wimbledon: 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996. (7)
• US Open: 1988, 1989, 1993, 1995, 1996. (5)

Info adapted from her official site: www.stefanie-graf.com and the Steffi Graf International Supporters Club, www.sgisc.com.

Dedicated to Steffi, which has given us some memorable games, and has always been an example for me.