Steffi Graf is a renowned German tennis player who dominated women’s tennis in the late 1980s and 1990s. She won an impressive 22 Grand Slam singles titles over the course of her career.
Graf began playing tennis at a young age, with encouragement and coaching from her father. She became an internationally ranked player at just 13 years old. In 1987, she won her first Grand Slam title at the French Open, defeating Martina Navratilova. The following year, Graf achieved the rare “Golden Slam” by winning all four Grand Slam tournaments as well as an Olympic gold medal in a single calendar year.
Graf was known for her powerful and aggressive style of play, with a formidable forehand. She continued her dominance through the 1990s, winning multiple titles at the French Open, Australian Open, and U.S. Open. She also won 7 Wimbledon championships, second only to Martina Navratilova in the open era.
After a series of injuries, Graf retired from professional tennis in 1999. However, she remained in the public eye, marrying fellow tennis great Andre Agassi in 2001. She has also been involved in various charitable efforts, including founding an organization to support children and families affected by war and crises. Graf was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2004.
