Steffi Graf is a German former professional tennis player who stands as one of the most dominant figures in the history of women’s tennis. With 22 Grand Slam singles titles, she ranks just behind Margaret Smith Court in the all-time Grand Slam record. In 1999, the Associated Press named her the Greatest Female Tennis Player of the 20th Century. Graf also holds the record for the most weeks ranked world No. 1 in the WTA rankings, maintaining the top position for an unprecedented 377 weeks.

Born on June 14, 1969, in Mannheim, Germany, Graf was introduced to tennis by her father, Peter Graf, an insurance salesman who also worked as her coach. When she was just three years old, he taught her how to hold a racket in the living room of their home. By the age of four, she had begun formal training on tennis courts, and a year later she entered her first tournament. Competing in nearly every available event during her early years, Graf claimed her first major success in 1982 by winning the European Championships.

Although her first professional season in 1983 did not bring immediate success, Graf rapidly refined her playing style. In 1984, her performance against British player Jo Durie at Wimbledon drew international attention and marked the beginning of her rise on the global stage. Her father meticulously controlled her schedule and professional life, insisting she focus exclusively on tennis. Known for her shy personality, Graf spent most of her time traveling between airports and tennis courts.

During 1985 and 1986, she frequently faced the era’s dominant players, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, losing six times to Evert and three times to Navratilova. However, on April 13, 1986, at the Circle Cup in Hilton Head, South Carolina, Graf defeated Evert to win her first major WTA tournament. This breakthrough was followed by victories in Amelia Island, Charleston, and Berlin, firmly establishing her as the new star of women’s tennis and a favorite in major tournaments.

At the French Open, Graf suffered from illness caused by a virus and was defeated by Hana Mandlíková, and due to her condition, she was unable to compete at Wimbledon. The 1987 season was marked by intense competition. Graf dominated opponents such as Gabriela Sabatini at Key Biscayne and defeated both Navratilova and Evert, although she also suffered a notable loss to Navratilova that year.

The dominant influence of her father over her personal and professional life came to an end in 1995 following a tax scandal. By 1999, Graf’s private life became a frequent topic in tabloids due to her relationship with fellow tennis star Andre Agassi. The couple met and fell in love after winning the French Open in the same year. Shortly after retiring from professional tennis, Graf married Agassi in 2001.

The couple have two children, Jaden Gil and Jaz Elle. In interviews, they have often stated that their love remains as strong as on the first day, attributing their happiness to the many values and interests they share.

Throughout her career, Graf competed against the greatest players in the world. One of her fiercest rivals, Martina Navratilova, once summarized her legacy with a simple yet powerful statement:

“She is the greatest player of all time.”

Source: Biyografiler.com