Steffi Graf

Steffi Graf is a retired German professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of the sport.

Steffi Graf is a retired German professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of the sport. She won 22 major women's singles titles, held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 377 weeks, and in 1988 completed the only Golden Slam in tennis history by winning all four Grand Slam singles titles plus Olympic gold in the same year.

Early life and background

Stefanie Maria Graf was born in Brühl in 1969 and grew up in what was then West Germany. She began playing tennis at a young age and turned professional in 1982.

Career achievements

Graf became one of the dominant players of her era, winning 107 WTA singles titles and 22 Grand Slam singles titles. Her major-title record includes seven Wimbledons, six French Opens, five US Opens, and four Australian Opens. She held the WTA world No. 1 ranking for a record 377 weeks and finished year-end No. 1 a record eight times. She is the only tennis player, male or female, to have won each Grand Slam singles tournament at least four times.

Golden Slam and Olympic success

Graf’s 1988 season is among the most celebrated in tennis history. She won all four Grand Slam singles titles and Olympic gold in Seoul, becoming the only player to complete a Golden Slam.

Playing style and legacy

Graf was especially known for her powerful forehand and athletic movement. Her records, longevity at No. 1, and major-title consistency have made her a benchmark in women’s tennis.

Retirement and later life

Graf retired in 1999 after a career that spanned the 1980s and 1990s. She was later inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and has been associated with charitable work, including the foundation Children for Tomorrow.