Another year rolling by and as usual, marvelling as how time flies by.
Year 2011 started off with Bryan Graham's tweet about Andre's auction in Taiwan, which almost every media outlet and blogosphere enthusiastically spread the news without even bothering to find out what really occured to ending with ridiculous statements by Khode Klisch. And just like her tennis career, none of these had any effect on her life. Just like she played on the tennis court as if there is no tomorrow, she is enjoying her personal life as mother and wife in the same way. Wishing another great year for the Agassi-Graf family.
A reason to look forward to 2012 is that the year gives an opportunity for someone to level Steffi Graf's 1988 achievement of 'Golden Slam'. Makes you realize how Steffi made it look easy as can't see anyone doing that even with some great players in the current generation but as with everything, can never say never, so eagerly waiting for the next Steffi Graf so that my kids can have the same experience growing up as I had in my life following Steffi's career.
Sam Stosur on her idol Steffi Graf:
Have you ever met Steffi?
I have - once. I was more nervous meeting her than I was before most matches I have played. It was in Paris in 2009. She was nice, laid-back, easygoing and unassuming. A pleasure to meet. I had her on a pedestal my whole life and when you see how down to earth she is, it becomes a great experience in your life to meet her.
How do you think you would go against her?
I think even now she would give most of us a run for our money. All the people who I know have played and practised with her just say she was one of a kind. The way she moved her feet. Her intensity. I don't know I would want to practise with her, to be honest. She might be too good for me!
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/xyx-tennis/from-shy-girl-to-superstar-sam-stosur-takes-it-in-her-stride/story-e6frfgao-1226233977240
"Stop thinking, start feeling" was the famous advice from Steffi to Andre but how to amateur tennis players do that!! May be some 'technology' assistance is needed to 'feel' right while hitting the ball.
http://blogs.tennis.com/the_pro_shop/2011/12/playing-by-feel-experiences-with-the-racquet-bracket-.html
Reading this old article and not surprised that even a phtographer's lens loves to capture Steffi. Some great pictures from the Wimbledon roof ceremony. Just click on the 'webgallery' in the article.
http://tennisworld.typepad.com/tennisworld/2009/05/your-call-523.html
An interview from 09 around Steffi's 40th B'day. Steffi saying she was uncomfortable looking at Novotna after her famous 93 wimbledon win.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1192647/EXCLUSIVE-Steffi-Graf-40--striving-perfection.html
And finally for me, the highlight of tennis this year (apart from Novak's great year and Kvitova's emergence) is Andre's speech at the tennis HOF. Good to see that I am not the only one who was moved to tears by the speech.
http://glutenfreebowlofsoul.blogspot.com/2011/12/grace-gratitude-happy-new-year.html
Happy New Year and hope I can keep blogging away in 2012 as I did in 2011.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Weekly Musings - 15
Well, I guess it took Khode-Kilsch 23 yrs and a banruptcy declaration to suggest that she lost an 'olympic gold' because of Steffi Graf. Wonder, if she ever realized that she might have won at least a 'bronze' because she played the doubles with Steffi. Guessing, she is going to come out with another statement and say, Steffi played so well in singles and won the gold medal just to prevent her from winning the gold medal. And why did Steffi decide all of a sudden in the SF to lose the match, she could have done that in QF or Finals. And if the ultimate goal of Steffi (and her father) was to prevent the great KK from winning an olympic gold, would have been easy for Steffi to just lose in the first round and concentrate on singles from the get go.
Ridiculous as it sounds, below is the Olympic doubles draw from 1988 and Graf/Khode Kilsch team had a tough time against the Canadian team in the QF and they lost to none other than Novotna-Sukova in the SF who lost a tough final to the Americans. To say that they lost beacuse Steffi didn't play well is downright outrageous as it is saying that Novotna-Sukova weren't capable of winning on their own, a formidable doubles team who won a career GS in women's doubles and also won the Olympic silver medal in doubles in 1992.
As expected, this makes the headlines and gets more coverage than Khode-Kilsch's bankruptcy and if that was what she was aiming to distract from the main news or gain attention to her, she succeeded big time. May be she will have more calls for interviews and TV shows which will help her with her bills (didn't want to be mean but couldn't resist).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis_at_the_1988_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Women's_Doubles
And guess, who comes out supporting Steffi, none other than Boris Becker, just check his tweets from a couple of days back on the same issue.
Not sure where to start but this post brings back a lot of childhood memories. Can only say best of luck to this fan's dream of interviewing Steffi, tough luck but who knows what is in store for the future.
http://www.sportskeeda.com/2011/12/12/excerpts-from-the-diary-of-a-tennis-fanboy/
Here is this fan's first post as a blogger and Steffi is the inspiration for his free lance writing just as she is for my blogging.
http://hareshtennis.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=6
Navratilova is in and Steffi out for the Halle event, there were doubts from the beginning about Steffi's participation which turned out to be true.
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Navratilova-and-Edberg-join-Halle-exhibition-field-articolo2624.html
and Junior Martina (Hingis) in to play Steffi at Taiwan. Just as a remainder, the last time these two played, it was voted as the best match by the viewers. There will be no grunting or shreiking but some great ball striking skills for sure and who knows, there might be some 'crossing over' to the other side as well. A great event for tennis lovers in Taiwan. Hope others can catch it on TV.
http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aSPT&ID=201112190034
And while Khode Kilsch claims were being spread all over, guess what Steffi was upto!! Mr and Mrs.Agassi enjoyed some great food cooked by a great chef. No wonder, Steffi had no time to respond (and she is never going to respond as she doesn't have to and as I said before: Words do matter unless you are Steffi Graf whose actions speak for themselves).
http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/luxe-life/2011/dec/19/star-surveillance-andre-agassi-shane-victorino-fan/
Ridiculous as it sounds, below is the Olympic doubles draw from 1988 and Graf/Khode Kilsch team had a tough time against the Canadian team in the QF and they lost to none other than Novotna-Sukova in the SF who lost a tough final to the Americans. To say that they lost beacuse Steffi didn't play well is downright outrageous as it is saying that Novotna-Sukova weren't capable of winning on their own, a formidable doubles team who won a career GS in women's doubles and also won the Olympic silver medal in doubles in 1992.
As expected, this makes the headlines and gets more coverage than Khode-Kilsch's bankruptcy and if that was what she was aiming to distract from the main news or gain attention to her, she succeeded big time. May be she will have more calls for interviews and TV shows which will help her with her bills (didn't want to be mean but couldn't resist).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennis_at_the_1988_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Women's_Doubles
And guess, who comes out supporting Steffi, none other than Boris Becker, just check his tweets from a couple of days back on the same issue.
Not sure where to start but this post brings back a lot of childhood memories. Can only say best of luck to this fan's dream of interviewing Steffi, tough luck but who knows what is in store for the future.
http://www.sportskeeda.com/2011/12/12/excerpts-from-the-diary-of-a-tennis-fanboy/
Here is this fan's first post as a blogger and Steffi is the inspiration for his free lance writing just as she is for my blogging.
http://hareshtennis.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=6
Navratilova is in and Steffi out for the Halle event, there were doubts from the beginning about Steffi's participation which turned out to be true.
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Navratilova-and-Edberg-join-Halle-exhibition-field-articolo2624.html
and Junior Martina (Hingis) in to play Steffi at Taiwan. Just as a remainder, the last time these two played, it was voted as the best match by the viewers. There will be no grunting or shreiking but some great ball striking skills for sure and who knows, there might be some 'crossing over' to the other side as well. A great event for tennis lovers in Taiwan. Hope others can catch it on TV.
http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aSPT&ID=201112190034
And while Khode Kilsch claims were being spread all over, guess what Steffi was upto!! Mr and Mrs.Agassi enjoyed some great food cooked by a great chef. No wonder, Steffi had no time to respond (and she is never going to respond as she doesn't have to and as I said before: Words do matter unless you are Steffi Graf whose actions speak for themselves).
http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/luxe-life/2011/dec/19/star-surveillance-andre-agassi-shane-victorino-fan/
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Weekly Musings-14
As anticipated, it is tennis 'off season' and so not much from the newsfront.
As per this report, Bud Collins is the first person from the media to know about Steffi not returning back to Wimbledon back in 99. One of the few from media who called her 'Stefanie'. And not sure whom to beleive but either Collins or Bodo were the first ones to have coined 'Fraulein Forehand".
http://www.armchairqb.com/storyarchive/bud-talks-tennis-2
Steffi and Federer make to this person's list of greatest atheletes of all time.
http://allworldsport.blogspot.com/2011/12/15-greatest-athletes-of-all-time.html
Few pictures from Andre's HOF this summer but like the 'Pillow' story the most.
http://newportbetty.blogspot.com/2011/07/tennis.html
Video of Steffi at Harlem tennis center.
Steffi's jeans being auctioned off for a good cause.
http://www.nw-news.de/lokale_news/buende/buende/5508280_Steffi_Graf_spendiert_zwei_Jeans.html
And finally, "The Steffi Graf of winter"!!!!
http://de.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/sigi-heinrich/article/4661/
As per this report, Bud Collins is the first person from the media to know about Steffi not returning back to Wimbledon back in 99. One of the few from media who called her 'Stefanie'. And not sure whom to beleive but either Collins or Bodo were the first ones to have coined 'Fraulein Forehand".
http://www.armchairqb.com/storyarchive/bud-talks-tennis-2
Steffi and Federer make to this person's list of greatest atheletes of all time.
http://allworldsport.blogspot.com/2011/12/15-greatest-athletes-of-all-time.html
Few pictures from Andre's HOF this summer but like the 'Pillow' story the most.
http://newportbetty.blogspot.com/2011/07/tennis.html
Video of Steffi at Harlem tennis center.
Steffi's jeans being auctioned off for a good cause.
http://www.nw-news.de/lokale_news/buende/buende/5508280_Steffi_Graf_spendiert_zwei_Jeans.html
And finally, "The Steffi Graf of winter"!!!!
http://de.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/sigi-heinrich/article/4661/
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Weekly Musings - 13
To say that time flies is an understatement, already been two weeks from the last post but doesn't feel that way. Nothing major for news front and Steffi is doing a great job of keeping in touch with her fans, great to hear from her, be it tennis or her life and thankful for the social media to make it happen.
Reading this week's mailbag from Jon Wertheim and this particular statement caught my attention as he considers Serena Williams to be the greatest on the female side:
"Anyway, all that said, I'm not sure the Serena comparison is relevant. Serena might be the standard on the women's Tour. But on the ATP, the top players don't play simply when the urge strikes. They don't take off entire chunks of the year. They don't bail midway through events with dubious injuries and then show up at celebrity weddings a few days later.
She is not the standard for Djokovic. Federer and Nadal are".
Don't remember anyone saying this about Steffi Graf when she was playing tennis. In fact, she was considered superior to top men's players of her time when it came to commitment to tennis.
And that's why have hard time accepting Serena Williams as the greatest ever, greatest in her era for sure but not the greatest ever. Winning day in and day out regradless of surface or whether it is a major or a minor is a tough standard to surpass year in and year out, the way Steffi Graf did or Navratilova or Seles or Evert or Court did.
And one of the reasons why Sabatini was unfortunate not be world No:1 despite winning a GS whereas we have so many slamless no:1s in Serena's era.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jon_wertheim/11/30/djokovic-mailbag/index.html?sct=tn_wr_a1
In that context, here is what Richard Williams said about Steffi back in 99:
"Actually, Steffi Graf is my favorite player on the Tour, and Venus and Serena would be my second and third. I admire Steffi Graf more than any player. The reason I admire Steffi Graf so much, when other players was not there, Steffi Graf was there. Steffi Graf, as far as I'm concerned, took the WTA, the Tour, and everyone else on her shoulder and did a marvelous job. I wanted to see my daughter beat Steffi Graf, but I guess I was hoping Steffi would win, too. But in reality, I really wanted to see Venus win. Steffi Graf is my favorite player".
http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=11439
A NZ tennis umpire on Steffi Graf:
"She was an approachable, very down to earth person. Someone who took the time to talk to me and ask what I was doing, where I was going."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/6051639/John-McEnroe-does-not-daunt-top-NZ-umpire
Steffi makes it to this list of strangest tennis habits but wondering if anyone else played with a ball in the other hand. In this day of double handed backhand being the norm, doubt any player in the current generation can play with a ball in the other hand and Steffi still does it (she was still holding a tennis ball in the other hand in the videos posted by her this year).
http://www.tenniscrack.com/2011/12/strangest-tennis-habits.html
Wow, looks like someone caught this moment on camera. This is dated Jun 15th 1999, one day after Steffi's B'day, at Wimbledon and for people who read Andre's book, I need not say anything more, the smile of Andre's face says it all. (if Speilberg ever needs any help for recreating the scenes, I am just a 'blog' away).
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/wimbeldon-great-britain-andre-agassi-with-steffi-graf-news-photo/51067716
Here is one more from the same day with Heidi Graf in the background.
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/wimbeldon-great-britain-andre-agassi-with-steffi-graf-news-photo/51067714
Have to watch the end where Andre compares his titles to that of his wife's:
http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/tennis-legend-andre-agassi-meets-his-fans-in-palo/vFN8D/
Reading this week's mailbag from Jon Wertheim and this particular statement caught my attention as he considers Serena Williams to be the greatest on the female side:
"Anyway, all that said, I'm not sure the Serena comparison is relevant. Serena might be the standard on the women's Tour. But on the ATP, the top players don't play simply when the urge strikes. They don't take off entire chunks of the year. They don't bail midway through events with dubious injuries and then show up at celebrity weddings a few days later.
She is not the standard for Djokovic. Federer and Nadal are".
Don't remember anyone saying this about Steffi Graf when she was playing tennis. In fact, she was considered superior to top men's players of her time when it came to commitment to tennis.
And that's why have hard time accepting Serena Williams as the greatest ever, greatest in her era for sure but not the greatest ever. Winning day in and day out regradless of surface or whether it is a major or a minor is a tough standard to surpass year in and year out, the way Steffi Graf did or Navratilova or Seles or Evert or Court did.
And one of the reasons why Sabatini was unfortunate not be world No:1 despite winning a GS whereas we have so many slamless no:1s in Serena's era.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jon_wertheim/11/30/djokovic-mailbag/index.html?sct=tn_wr_a1
In that context, here is what Richard Williams said about Steffi back in 99:
"Actually, Steffi Graf is my favorite player on the Tour, and Venus and Serena would be my second and third. I admire Steffi Graf more than any player. The reason I admire Steffi Graf so much, when other players was not there, Steffi Graf was there. Steffi Graf, as far as I'm concerned, took the WTA, the Tour, and everyone else on her shoulder and did a marvelous job. I wanted to see my daughter beat Steffi Graf, but I guess I was hoping Steffi would win, too. But in reality, I really wanted to see Venus win. Steffi Graf is my favorite player".
http://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=11439
A NZ tennis umpire on Steffi Graf:
"She was an approachable, very down to earth person. Someone who took the time to talk to me and ask what I was doing, where I was going."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/6051639/John-McEnroe-does-not-daunt-top-NZ-umpire
Steffi makes it to this list of strangest tennis habits but wondering if anyone else played with a ball in the other hand. In this day of double handed backhand being the norm, doubt any player in the current generation can play with a ball in the other hand and Steffi still does it (she was still holding a tennis ball in the other hand in the videos posted by her this year).
http://www.tenniscrack.com/2011/12/strangest-tennis-habits.html
Wow, looks like someone caught this moment on camera. This is dated Jun 15th 1999, one day after Steffi's B'day, at Wimbledon and for people who read Andre's book, I need not say anything more, the smile of Andre's face says it all. (if Speilberg ever needs any help for recreating the scenes, I am just a 'blog' away).
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/wimbeldon-great-britain-andre-agassi-with-steffi-graf-news-photo/51067716
Here is one more from the same day with Heidi Graf in the background.
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/wimbeldon-great-britain-andre-agassi-with-steffi-graf-news-photo/51067714
Have to watch the end where Andre compares his titles to that of his wife's:
http://www.ktvu.com/videos/news/tennis-legend-andre-agassi-meets-his-fans-in-palo/vFN8D/
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Weekly Musings - 12
Since Steffi and the family are going to be snow boarding during the winter and tennis season coming to an end after at Men's WTF event in London, expecting a relatively quite year end with regards to news coverage but busy from a house wife stand point with Thanks Giving and Christmas holiday preparations on the way. And its good to be busy.
Steffi couldn't attend Chris Evert's charity this year as announced but stll is contributing to the charity. A one hr tennis lesson with Steffi Graf being auctioned for Chris Evert's charity.
http://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/chrisevert/catalog_items/289405
What can a boxing legend learn from a tennis legend??
http://beyondtheclassroomjtfs.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-manny-pacquiao-can-learn-from.html
Wouldn't mention Steffi's and Serena's endorsements as the same as this headline seems to suggest. 'Sensuous' is a milder term to descirbe Serena's add for topspin which never made it to the market (never intended to make it to the market if you beleive the 'marketers', why make it then!!!!).
http://tennis.com/articles/templates/thespin.aspx?articleid=15113&zoneid=32
Steffi walking the runway makes it to 'Memory Lane' feature on SI.
So fearless, free and a 'ballerina' on the tennis court yet so shy and reserved off the court and on the runway as well. Seems like the models were making sure that she does not run away from the 'runway'. You know when someone has the timing of an olympic runner/winner and most of her matches are done in 40-45 minutes, hard to blame the models as left alone on her own, she would have appeared/disappeared from the stage in seconds.
http://tennis.si.com/2011/11/16/memory-lane-steffi-works-the-runway/
And on that topic, time to revisit this old piece from NYT when Steffi completed the GS in 1988, the youngest of any male or female players to win a calendar year GS and if I am not wrong, this is just in the 'open' era (yes!!! and since it is Steffi Graf, it is taken for granted like many of her accomplishments and no one even bothers to mention that). Maureen Connolly is the youngest to win the calendar year GS in 1953, she was 3 months younger to Steffi when she did it (I was wrong and so edited my earlier statement above).
Loved the last few sentences of the article including the 'kid in denim shorts' reference:
"The Open showed that the tennis season is already too long, and there are still three months to play. If not for Graf and the kid in blue denim shorts, the Open would have been a disappointment.
Given the length of the season, injury and fatigue factors, and the luck that is needed to survive, Graf's Grand Slam is even more noteworthy. So she did not hop over the net in jubilation. Years from now, there will be at least 100,000 people who will claim to have been in that 20,000-seat stadium on Saturday. And they will say that Steffi had a tear in her eye".
http://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/13/sports/sports-of-the-times-graf-s-misleading-reaction.html?src=pm
Another nice piece written in 99 just before Steffi's retirement from the sport. Again, have my own views and might not agree with everything said but liked the ending.
"Since adolescence, her entire life - from her teenage menstrual cycle, charted in a German magazine, to her father's affairs - has been exposed to public scrutiny. Yet the only place she can find some peace is in front of packed grandstands and squadrons of photographers. This, sometimes, is the condition of the modern sports celebrity. How little we really know her. And oh, how we'll miss her when she's gone".
How we miss her on the court!!! Have to echo what many others have said many times in the past:
"Where are you Steffi Graf?"
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/profile-steffi-graf--steffi-1100868.html
Happy Thanksgiving and the next post will be a biweekly musing in view of the holiday weekend.
Steffi couldn't attend Chris Evert's charity this year as announced but stll is contributing to the charity. A one hr tennis lesson with Steffi Graf being auctioned for Chris Evert's charity.
http://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/chrisevert/catalog_items/289405
What can a boxing legend learn from a tennis legend??
http://beyondtheclassroomjtfs.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-manny-pacquiao-can-learn-from.html
Wouldn't mention Steffi's and Serena's endorsements as the same as this headline seems to suggest. 'Sensuous' is a milder term to descirbe Serena's add for topspin which never made it to the market (never intended to make it to the market if you beleive the 'marketers', why make it then!!!!).
http://tennis.com/articles/templates/thespin.aspx?articleid=15113&zoneid=32
Steffi walking the runway makes it to 'Memory Lane' feature on SI.
So fearless, free and a 'ballerina' on the tennis court yet so shy and reserved off the court and on the runway as well. Seems like the models were making sure that she does not run away from the 'runway'. You know when someone has the timing of an olympic runner/winner and most of her matches are done in 40-45 minutes, hard to blame the models as left alone on her own, she would have appeared/disappeared from the stage in seconds.
http://tennis.si.com/2011/11/16/memory-lane-steffi-works-the-runway/
And on that topic, time to revisit this old piece from NYT when Steffi completed the GS in 1988, the youngest of any male or female players to win a calendar year GS and if I am not wrong, this is just in the 'open' era (yes!!! and since it is Steffi Graf, it is taken for granted like many of her accomplishments and no one even bothers to mention that). Maureen Connolly is the youngest to win the calendar year GS in 1953, she was 3 months younger to Steffi when she did it (I was wrong and so edited my earlier statement above).
Loved the last few sentences of the article including the 'kid in denim shorts' reference:
"The Open showed that the tennis season is already too long, and there are still three months to play. If not for Graf and the kid in blue denim shorts, the Open would have been a disappointment.
Given the length of the season, injury and fatigue factors, and the luck that is needed to survive, Graf's Grand Slam is even more noteworthy. So she did not hop over the net in jubilation. Years from now, there will be at least 100,000 people who will claim to have been in that 20,000-seat stadium on Saturday. And they will say that Steffi had a tear in her eye".
http://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/13/sports/sports-of-the-times-graf-s-misleading-reaction.html?src=pm
Another nice piece written in 99 just before Steffi's retirement from the sport. Again, have my own views and might not agree with everything said but liked the ending.
"Since adolescence, her entire life - from her teenage menstrual cycle, charted in a German magazine, to her father's affairs - has been exposed to public scrutiny. Yet the only place she can find some peace is in front of packed grandstands and squadrons of photographers. This, sometimes, is the condition of the modern sports celebrity. How little we really know her. And oh, how we'll miss her when she's gone".
How we miss her on the court!!! Have to echo what many others have said many times in the past:
"Where are you Steffi Graf?"
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/profile-steffi-graf--steffi-1100868.html
Happy Thanksgiving and the next post will be a biweekly musing in view of the holiday weekend.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Weekly Musings - 11
A quite November compared to hectic October and Steffi's Halloween costume was still making news in the tennis media. Curious to know who won the best dressed award that day.
http://tennis.com/articles/templates/thespin.aspx?articleid=15057&zoneid=32
And, no Grand Slam Gala event for next year, a much needed break for all involved. At the same time, will be missing watching Steffi in one of those long gowns for the event.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2011/nov/11/bolstered-kerkorians-donation-agassi-grand-slam-ch/
A great description of Steffi Graf by none other than Barry Newcombe. The last para sums it up all of why she is still admired in the tennis world:
Germany's Steffi Graf won the Wimbledon Singles crown seven times in a stellar career that included a Golden Grand Slam in 1988.
Steffi Graf was definitely the player of her era, dominating the women’s game for over a decade to win 22 singles Grand Slam titles. That’s four more than Martina Navratilova collected, though the ex-Czech totalled many more when you bring her doubles achievements into the equation.
Hailing from Bruhl in Germany, the 5’9" Graf first came onto the Grand Slam scene in 1983 aged 14. Two years later her potential became evident as she reached the last four of the US Open, a few months after I first met her at her family home. Looking back I can remember feeling that here was someone destined for the big time. Whilst quiet and modest, an underlying determination was always evident.
She revealed then that she had only played on grass "about four times", and, whilst a keen admirer of Wimbledon champions Martina Navratilova - "I think her game is perfect" - plus Jimmy Connors’ "fighting qualities" and John McEnroe’s "touch and feel", she didn’t expect to make much of an impact at SW19 for a few years to come.
And she was right. She won The Championships for the first time in 1988, having reached the final of all the five previous Slams, losing just two of them. That year was to prove her greatest year. She not only made the Grand Slam - winning all four majors in a calendar year, only the third woman to do so - she turned it into a Golden Slam by taking the Olympic title when tennis returned to the Games in Seoul.
She reigned as world No. 1 for a record 377 weeks and in total won 106 tour titles, all contributing to her US$21,895,277 prize-money fortune. She was named World Champion by the International Tennis Federation on seven occasions, another record.
Injuries started to affect her career in 1996 and during the ensuing years she underwent a series of operations to remove bone chips in her left knee and both feet. Chronic back pain also hampered her during this period but she eventually retired when she was beaten in a second round match by Amy Frazier in San Diego, in August 1999.
Her fans remain numerous and it was one of her more fanatical ones that shocked the world in April 1993 when he stabbed Monica Seles in the back during a change-over in a match played in Hamburg in order to help Graf regain the world number-one slot.
She won Wimbledon seven times and her last appearance at a Slam was at the 1999 final, when she lost in straight sets to Lindsay Davenport. She refused to confirm it would be her last Wimbledon and when later asked why she hadn’t, she simply replied: "It was Lindsay’s day."
However, a few weeks earlier she had won the French for a sixth time in a classic encounter, destroying Martina Hingis 6-2 in the third set. It proved to be a traumatic experience for the Swiss, then No.1 in the world, who had come within three points of winning her first Roland Garros title. Hingis never recovered, losing in the first round of The Championships four weeks later.
Graf married Andre Agassi in October 2001 and gave birth to a son later that same month, and a daughter in October 2003.
As expected, on her retirement and subsequent marriage, Graf has avoided the limelight, preferring to watch her husband in action from the stands whenever possible. There has been no mention of any form of comeback, though she was ranked three when she announced her retirement. But a buzz of excitement was felt in tennis circles when her husband announced, during Melbourne last January, that she had agreed to play Mixed Doubles with him at the French Open should he go on to win the Australian Open singles. He did, but was then forced to admit she hadn’t agreed and would not play!
A determined lady who never abused her position and was always considerate of others; admired world-wide for her graciousness in defeat and victory, she is sorely missed on the pro circuit. And the stroke which proved her most striking weapon, her sledgehammer forehand, has assured her of a place in tennis history.
http://aeltc2010.wimbledon.org/en_GB/about/history/steffi_graf.html
An Old Video with young Steffi and the entire Graf family inlcuding their dog.
And good to see Federer win Paris without losing a set the whole tournament, the only other player to win French Open and Paris Masters is a bald chap from Las Vegas. And, also goes to show that you don't always need a double handed backhand, esp when you are a Graf or a Federer. Another similarity, as it was/is with Steffi, the French love Roger Federer (although, he has yet to say "I feel French").
http://tennis.com/articles/templates/thespin.aspx?articleid=15057&zoneid=32
And, no Grand Slam Gala event for next year, a much needed break for all involved. At the same time, will be missing watching Steffi in one of those long gowns for the event.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2011/nov/11/bolstered-kerkorians-donation-agassi-grand-slam-ch/
A great description of Steffi Graf by none other than Barry Newcombe. The last para sums it up all of why she is still admired in the tennis world:
Germany's Steffi Graf won the Wimbledon Singles crown seven times in a stellar career that included a Golden Grand Slam in 1988.
Steffi Graf was definitely the player of her era, dominating the women’s game for over a decade to win 22 singles Grand Slam titles. That’s four more than Martina Navratilova collected, though the ex-Czech totalled many more when you bring her doubles achievements into the equation.
Hailing from Bruhl in Germany, the 5’9" Graf first came onto the Grand Slam scene in 1983 aged 14. Two years later her potential became evident as she reached the last four of the US Open, a few months after I first met her at her family home. Looking back I can remember feeling that here was someone destined for the big time. Whilst quiet and modest, an underlying determination was always evident.
She revealed then that she had only played on grass "about four times", and, whilst a keen admirer of Wimbledon champions Martina Navratilova - "I think her game is perfect" - plus Jimmy Connors’ "fighting qualities" and John McEnroe’s "touch and feel", she didn’t expect to make much of an impact at SW19 for a few years to come.
And she was right. She won The Championships for the first time in 1988, having reached the final of all the five previous Slams, losing just two of them. That year was to prove her greatest year. She not only made the Grand Slam - winning all four majors in a calendar year, only the third woman to do so - she turned it into a Golden Slam by taking the Olympic title when tennis returned to the Games in Seoul.
She reigned as world No. 1 for a record 377 weeks and in total won 106 tour titles, all contributing to her US$21,895,277 prize-money fortune. She was named World Champion by the International Tennis Federation on seven occasions, another record.
Injuries started to affect her career in 1996 and during the ensuing years she underwent a series of operations to remove bone chips in her left knee and both feet. Chronic back pain also hampered her during this period but she eventually retired when she was beaten in a second round match by Amy Frazier in San Diego, in August 1999.
Her fans remain numerous and it was one of her more fanatical ones that shocked the world in April 1993 when he stabbed Monica Seles in the back during a change-over in a match played in Hamburg in order to help Graf regain the world number-one slot.
She won Wimbledon seven times and her last appearance at a Slam was at the 1999 final, when she lost in straight sets to Lindsay Davenport. She refused to confirm it would be her last Wimbledon and when later asked why she hadn’t, she simply replied: "It was Lindsay’s day."
However, a few weeks earlier she had won the French for a sixth time in a classic encounter, destroying Martina Hingis 6-2 in the third set. It proved to be a traumatic experience for the Swiss, then No.1 in the world, who had come within three points of winning her first Roland Garros title. Hingis never recovered, losing in the first round of The Championships four weeks later.
Graf married Andre Agassi in October 2001 and gave birth to a son later that same month, and a daughter in October 2003.
As expected, on her retirement and subsequent marriage, Graf has avoided the limelight, preferring to watch her husband in action from the stands whenever possible. There has been no mention of any form of comeback, though she was ranked three when she announced her retirement. But a buzz of excitement was felt in tennis circles when her husband announced, during Melbourne last January, that she had agreed to play Mixed Doubles with him at the French Open should he go on to win the Australian Open singles. He did, but was then forced to admit she hadn’t agreed and would not play!
A determined lady who never abused her position and was always considerate of others; admired world-wide for her graciousness in defeat and victory, she is sorely missed on the pro circuit. And the stroke which proved her most striking weapon, her sledgehammer forehand, has assured her of a place in tennis history.
http://aeltc2010.wimbledon.org/en_GB/about/history/steffi_graf.html
An Old Video with young Steffi and the entire Graf family inlcuding their dog.
And good to see Federer win Paris without losing a set the whole tournament, the only other player to win French Open and Paris Masters is a bald chap from Las Vegas. And, also goes to show that you don't always need a double handed backhand, esp when you are a Graf or a Federer. Another similarity, as it was/is with Steffi, the French love Roger Federer (although, he has yet to say "I feel French").
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Weekly Musings - 10
Well, on Saturday, they host a huge GS event for the foundation and come Monday, they are well, just like everyone else and may be more like kids at the Halloween party and pull it off with aplomb just like everything else. And whom do we pick, Mr or Mrs.Agassi, as both look great in the costumes. Steffi looks ridiculously well for 'smurfette' and still has 'the best legs' in tennis. Wonder how much time it took for both of them to get that body paint off.
Another video from the Gala event. Love this comment from Andre: "Most artists say you are OK but your wife is spectacular. So we will be there".
More pictures and Video links of the event in this article below but for once, can't someone get Steffi's name right, mentioned as Graff in one of the sentences :
"Last year, tennis legend and Las Vegas resident Agassi ran throughout the large Lafite Ballroom in his tuxedo to garner donations, but this year he had help from Olympian Lindsey Vonn, his tennis legend wife Steffi Graff, actress Elisabeth Shue and her Oscar-winning director husband Davis Guggenheim".....really!!!!!!!!, high time for a Las Vegas news agency to have Mrs.Agassi's name right.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/nov/01/grand-slam-photos-18-million-donation-marriage-pro/
And how did Agassi and Steffi Graf celebrate their 10th anniversary on Oct. 22? At SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas, seated at a table overlooking the Lake of Dreams. "(We) stared at each other and stared at each other. I took a deep breath as to what all this has led to," Agassi said. He gave her a necklace and handbag that she had at the gala Saturday.
Love this couple.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/charter-schools-to-keep-agassi-busy-132906093.html?ref=093Another video from the Gala event. Love this comment from Andre: "Most artists say you are OK but your wife is spectacular. So we will be there".
More pictures and Video links of the event in this article below but for once, can't someone get Steffi's name right, mentioned as Graff in one of the sentences :
"Last year, tennis legend and Las Vegas resident Agassi ran throughout the large Lafite Ballroom in his tuxedo to garner donations, but this year he had help from Olympian Lindsey Vonn, his tennis legend wife Steffi Graff, actress Elisabeth Shue and her Oscar-winning director husband Davis Guggenheim".....really!!!!!!!!, high time for a Las Vegas news agency to have Mrs.Agassi's name right.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/nov/01/grand-slam-photos-18-million-donation-marriage-pro/
And how did Agassi and Steffi Graf celebrate their 10th anniversary on Oct. 22? At SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas, seated at a table overlooking the Lake of Dreams. "(We) stared at each other and stared at each other. I took a deep breath as to what all this has led to," Agassi said. He gave her a necklace and handbag that she had at the gala Saturday.
Love this couple.
The news is barely out that movie moghals are bidding for 'OPEN' and tennis media is already excited and why not, there are very few tennis theme related movies out there and Andre's book will be excellent for a movie if it is captured right. But not sure if I can accept some one in the role of Andre and Steffi, would be interesting to see what the casting will be though if it is ever made into a movie and this was the discussion at SI as well this week.
http://tennis.si.com/2011/11/03/the-toss-casting-andre-agassis-movie/?sct=tn_t11_a0
If this news is right, Steffi's particpation in Halle in 2012 depends on her health and is not a guarantee, hope she can keep up with playing in the event.
http://www.nw-news.de/owl/5250704_Fragezeichen_hinter_Steffi_Grafs_Rueckkehr_nach_Halle.html
Steffi and a double handed backhand!!!, as this sculpture portrays.
http://tennis.si.com/2011/11/01/memory-lane-steffis-sandy-backhand/
Well, if you look closely at the Wimbledon roof ceremony, she does a double handed backhand when playing against Kim Clijsters, the ball was called out and Steffi hits a double handed backhand which was sadly missed by the commentators and you would miss it too unless you watch closely. Around 4:3, 15-15 and approx 5 min 30 sec mark, she hits a double handed backhand. The might have been very few occassions where she might have done it when she was a pro as well although tough to recall all of them.
New Nintendo adds featuring Steffi/Stefanie Graf. Love the one where she gives a piggybag ride to one of the kids, seems very natural in the add when she is with the kids and why not, she has two kids (can I say three kids as I believe Andre is a kid at heart as well) at home.
And finally, whom do you pick: Miley Cyrus or Steffi Graf. You may call be biased but somehow the dress looks more fetching on the 42 yr old than the 18 yr old.
http://www.promiflash.de/wem-stehts-besser-miley-cyrus-oder-steffi-graf-1111057.html
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Weekly Musings - 9
Another year, another GS event for the Andre Agassi Foundation (16 yrs!!!). An amazing achievement to get the school to a point of financial security forever and so a huge hats off to Andre Agassi for pulling this off. As this editorial rightly said, 'an amazing accomplishment'.
http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/andre-agassi-s-amazing-accomplishment-132843428.html
Who knew it would be Andre Agassi who would be the person to change the well known adage of 'what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' to 'what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas' and for the right reasons. From Vegas to Philly to Milwaukee to 75 other places around US.
Remember reading somewhere, when you have someone willing to be by your side for every step you take in life, even mis-steps turn into eloquent dance moves. Andre has one such person in his life right now.
As usual, Steffi and Andre both look great. Loved Steffi's dress.
A video link to the same event and pretty sure, many more to be uploaded in the next few days.
Lots of news in the local media on the eve of this event and since obviously, it includes Steffi as well, here are few of them.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/andre-and-steffi-feel-right-at-home-132768943.html
http://www.lvrj.com/news/agassi-s-son-not-into-his-racket-132843438.html
By the way, if 'OPEN' is ever made into a movie, whom would you want as 'Steffi Graf' as it seems like a possibility in the near future. And none other than Spielberg is in the line.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/moguls-seek-film-rights-for-open-132873793.html?ref=793
New video clip of Steffi about her business partnership with Nintendo. And Steffi is doing a fabulous job of keeping her fans updated these days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE1-dcxUmHU
Didn't know that October has another important day for Steffi, the first match of her turning pro was Oct 24th, 1982.
http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ycn-10276903
Found this on websurfing, from 2007 but a nice read.
http://dorothysurrenders.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-weekend-crush_20.html
Although unrelated, have to give huge props to Petra Kvitova to win the WTA year end championship event, a great year for her and many more to come. A promising result for women's tennis to see a youngster making her mark. And yes, she doesn't grunt or shreik.
http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/andre-agassi-s-amazing-accomplishment-132843428.html
Who knew it would be Andre Agassi who would be the person to change the well known adage of 'what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' to 'what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas' and for the right reasons. From Vegas to Philly to Milwaukee to 75 other places around US.
Remember reading somewhere, when you have someone willing to be by your side for every step you take in life, even mis-steps turn into eloquent dance moves. Andre has one such person in his life right now.
As usual, Steffi and Andre both look great. Loved Steffi's dress.
A video link to the same event and pretty sure, many more to be uploaded in the next few days.
Lots of news in the local media on the eve of this event and since obviously, it includes Steffi as well, here are few of them.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/andre-and-steffi-feel-right-at-home-132768943.html
http://www.lvrj.com/news/agassi-s-son-not-into-his-racket-132843438.html
By the way, if 'OPEN' is ever made into a movie, whom would you want as 'Steffi Graf' as it seems like a possibility in the near future. And none other than Spielberg is in the line.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/moguls-seek-film-rights-for-open-132873793.html?ref=793
New video clip of Steffi about her business partnership with Nintendo. And Steffi is doing a fabulous job of keeping her fans updated these days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE1-dcxUmHU
Didn't know that October has another important day for Steffi, the first match of her turning pro was Oct 24th, 1982.
http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ycn-10276903
Found this on websurfing, from 2007 but a nice read.
http://dorothysurrenders.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-weekend-crush_20.html
Although unrelated, have to give huge props to Petra Kvitova to win the WTA year end championship event, a great year for her and many more to come. A promising result for women's tennis to see a youngster making her mark. And yes, she doesn't grunt or shreik.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Weekly Musings - 8
On the 10th Wedding Anniversary, time to revisit this old article from People Magazine announcing their wedding. A big cheers to both of them and wishing for many more such anniversaries. Not sure if it was intended in such a way but goes to show that it does not matter how or where you marry as long as you are marrying for the right reasons (sounding like Mike Agassi, right!!).
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20135644,00.html
And yes, she is playing in Halle next year. As some one else said, imagine Graf and Rafa playing mixed doubles, 'GRAFA' team will be great to watch although not going to happen.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Tennis/Graf-to-play-Halle-exhibition-20111017
And yes, she is playing in Halle next year. As some one else said, imagine Graf and Rafa playing mixed doubles, 'GRAFA' team will be great to watch although not going to happen.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Tennis/Graf-to-play-Halle-exhibition-20111017
Pitfalls of being very humble, down to earth and not carrying an "air of importance" look is that even the security guard wouldn't recognize who you are. Come on Steffi, you have a long way to go in the 'diva' department, just ask some of the former/current players.
http://www.vegassportsgab.com/2011/10/16/championship-tennis-agassis-in-not-so-for-his-wife-steffi-graf/More pictures of Steffi from Andre's match in LV, the Champion series event, courtesy Las Vegas Sun. Scroll down in the gallery provided in the link. Can see Phil Agassi in the background.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/oct/16/photos-andre-agassi-wins-tennis-champions-series-u/
Couple of references of Steffi in Wertheim's mailbag (seems like it is the mailbag day this week). While Steffi is no BJK (nor does she behave like she belongs to that group, doesn't even consider herself the greatest), to say she will never be remembered for her contribution to the sport is ridiculous. How can one measure great players 'contribution' to the game? Not sure in which context the word 'cipher' was used but me and my family learnt about tennis because of her and no she was not a 'cipher in her heyday'. Her presence of the court was enough for many to watch the game.
Loved this reference in the same mailbag (might be referring to the day when Steffi and Andre were hitting, the videos in the last post).
"I was in Las Vegas this past weekend at the Darling Tennis Center playing in a tournament when none other than Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf took center court and hit against an unknown (to me), albeit good player. Come to find out, the guy paid $20K to take a lesson from the two; the money went to Agassi's foundation. They couldn't have been more gracious, talking to fans, taking pictures, signing every last autograph. We were leaving the facility and saw two black Escalades pulling out (the tinted window, bulletproof, celebrity kind), thinking 'There they go, Andre and Steffi.' But no, the humble pair walked out together (alone) and into their normal car about five minutes later, without an entourage and back to their lives. The Escalades, we found out later, belonged to the guy who paid for the lesson. Ha!"
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jon_wertheim/10/19/grand-slams/index.html#ixzz1bGC36rII
In contrast to Jon Wertheim's theory (spark your youtube comment), Kimiko Date, the ageless wonder believes Steffi Graf can be no:1 again even in this era. Have to agree with her that it is not just the game but the mind that plays a huge role in winning in tennis. She has played when Steffi was around and she has played against the current generation, so her opinion counts more than sports writers.
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Tennis-World-Magazine-Exclusive---An-interview-with-Kimiko-Date-Krumm-articolo1884.html
Steffi's comments on Indy car crash were published on multiple sites. Not a surprise since at one point, the two Michaels in her life were into race car driving. Loved this description: "typically sensible, stoic and stabilizing words"
http://tennis.com/articles/templates/thespin.aspx?articleid=14830&zoneid=32
Couple of references of Steffi in Wertheim's mailbag (seems like it is the mailbag day this week). While Steffi is no BJK (nor does she behave like she belongs to that group, doesn't even consider herself the greatest), to say she will never be remembered for her contribution to the sport is ridiculous. How can one measure great players 'contribution' to the game? Not sure in which context the word 'cipher' was used but me and my family learnt about tennis because of her and no she was not a 'cipher in her heyday'. Her presence of the court was enough for many to watch the game.
Loved this reference in the same mailbag (might be referring to the day when Steffi and Andre were hitting, the videos in the last post).
"I was in Las Vegas this past weekend at the Darling Tennis Center playing in a tournament when none other than Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf took center court and hit against an unknown (to me), albeit good player. Come to find out, the guy paid $20K to take a lesson from the two; the money went to Agassi's foundation. They couldn't have been more gracious, talking to fans, taking pictures, signing every last autograph. We were leaving the facility and saw two black Escalades pulling out (the tinted window, bulletproof, celebrity kind), thinking 'There they go, Andre and Steffi.' But no, the humble pair walked out together (alone) and into their normal car about five minutes later, without an entourage and back to their lives. The Escalades, we found out later, belonged to the guy who paid for the lesson. Ha!"
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jon_wertheim/10/19/grand-slams/index.html#ixzz1bGC36rII
In contrast to Jon Wertheim's theory (spark your youtube comment), Kimiko Date, the ageless wonder believes Steffi Graf can be no:1 again even in this era. Have to agree with her that it is not just the game but the mind that plays a huge role in winning in tennis. She has played when Steffi was around and she has played against the current generation, so her opinion counts more than sports writers.
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Tennis-World-Magazine-Exclusive---An-interview-with-Kimiko-Date-Krumm-articolo1884.html
Steffi's comments on Indy car crash were published on multiple sites. Not a surprise since at one point, the two Michaels in her life were into race car driving. Loved this description: "typically sensible, stoic and stabilizing words"
http://tennis.com/articles/templates/thespin.aspx?articleid=14830&zoneid=32
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Weekly Musings - 7
Looks like the Champion series is a fun event. Steffi and the kids were there to watch Andre live. As usual Steffi looks great (Photo 18 of 19 in the gallery provided in the link below from Las Vegas Sun).
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/oct/16/andre-agassi-thrives-court-host-legends-tennis-ser/
Another interview of Steffi during her recent Berlin visit. As usual, a humble, down to earth answer from a person who can easily be ranked among the top female atheletes from all around the world. Here is her response to being selected as the best German female athelete:
"That's a huge compliment. But it is hard for me to see me like this or to find justifications for it. I much rather just talk about others than about me".
http://www.superillu.de/leute/Steffi_Graf_hat_kein_Heimweh_nach_Deutschland_2163780.html
Pannetta achives what only Steffi Graf has done so far and she did this way back in 1986, beat the singles No:1 and doubles no:1 players on the same day. Never knew that statistic before.
http://www.wtatennis.com/news/20111011/both-no1s-in-one-day-pennettas-beijing-feat_2256076_2477978
An article on Naiktha Bains and how Britain lost an young prospect to Australia. She was in Vegas earlier this year and had a chance to hit with Steffi, some one to watch in future and per Cahill's tweets, Steffi was impressed by the young girl (she won couple of under 18 events in Australia in the last few weeks). Can see Steffi with Bains in the article.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/13394586.stm
Video of Steffi hitting with Bains in Vegas.
Steffi and Andre playing tennis in Vegas, Andre is probably preparing for the CS matches this weekend.
A photo of Andre and Steffi taken at the recent Prague event wins an award in a phtography contest. Now, if only they can show us what photo that was.
http://www.24hod.sk/czech-press-photo-2011-vyhrala-fotografia-z-varnsdorfu-cl175504.html
Last week, it was Gaby and this week it is Steffi's turn on Douglas Perry's archive from the past.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/tennis/2011/10/from_the_archives_steffi_graf.html
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/oct/16/andre-agassi-thrives-court-host-legends-tennis-ser/
Another interview of Steffi during her recent Berlin visit. As usual, a humble, down to earth answer from a person who can easily be ranked among the top female atheletes from all around the world. Here is her response to being selected as the best German female athelete:
"That's a huge compliment. But it is hard for me to see me like this or to find justifications for it. I much rather just talk about others than about me".
http://www.superillu.de/leute/Steffi_Graf_hat_kein_Heimweh_nach_Deutschland_2163780.html
Pannetta achives what only Steffi Graf has done so far and she did this way back in 1986, beat the singles No:1 and doubles no:1 players on the same day. Never knew that statistic before.
http://www.wtatennis.com/news/20111011/both-no1s-in-one-day-pennettas-beijing-feat_2256076_2477978
An article on Naiktha Bains and how Britain lost an young prospect to Australia. She was in Vegas earlier this year and had a chance to hit with Steffi, some one to watch in future and per Cahill's tweets, Steffi was impressed by the young girl (she won couple of under 18 events in Australia in the last few weeks). Can see Steffi with Bains in the article.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/13394586.stm
Video of Steffi hitting with Bains in Vegas.
Steffi and Andre playing tennis in Vegas, Andre is probably preparing for the CS matches this weekend.
A photo of Andre and Steffi taken at the recent Prague event wins an award in a phtography contest. Now, if only they can show us what photo that was.
http://www.24hod.sk/czech-press-photo-2011-vyhrala-fotografia-z-varnsdorfu-cl175504.html
Last week, it was Gaby and this week it is Steffi's turn on Douglas Perry's archive from the past.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/tennis/2011/10/from_the_archives_steffi_graf.html
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Weekly Musings-6
October is a busy month in the Agassi/Graf household for various reasons, also for most of the years, even the 'GrandSlam' event for Andre's foundation is in the same month. Added to that, there is the 'Champion Series' stop in Vegas this year. So lots to look forward to for Agassi/Graf family.
An interview excerpt from last week but somehow missed it in my last post.
Here is a rough English translation:
"Motherhood is my most important job"Saturday, 1 October 2011 02:42
Only a few times a year at most, is the seven-time Wimbledon champion Steffi Graf (42) in Germany. In the adopted home of Las Vegas, she takes care of her children Jaden Gil (9) and Jaz Elle (7) along with her husband,Andre Agassi. This week, Graf, who has finished her career in 1999, opened the first German Tea Lounge at the Friedrichstrasse in Q110. She has talked to Kati Degenhardt in a relaxed atmosphere at the opening.
Berliner Morgenpost: Ms. Graf, how and where you usually relax?
Stefanie Graf: I'll relax when I'm with my family and we can spend time together. But when I have the feeling I need some time for me, I do sports. They still play an important role in my life. Not quite so often as I used to, but still a couple of times per week. And I can gather myself and physically and mentally recharge.
Berliner Morgenpost: What does pleasure mean for you?
Stefanie Graf: There is pleasure on many levels, such as eating or drinking or to be in an environment in which we feel comfortable.
Berliner Morgenpost: Has your perception changed over the years of enjoyment? Did you have to learn to enjoy?
Stefanie Graf: I already got a better understanding of time: how important it is to have time, and how quickly it passes. I live my life now more aware of that. Especially with children, we learn to appreciate more the time that one has.
Berliner Morgenpost: Speaking of time. There are several anniversaries in October in the family Graf / Agassi.
Stefanie Graf: We really have a great month before us, that's right.
Stefanie Graf: My husband and I do not put so much emphasis on special days or anniversaries - every single day is important to us. For the children it is of course something else, they enjoy especially on their birthdays. Our ten year old (anniversary) is certainly a beautiful day but nothing special is planned.
Stefanie Graf: We often start with tea in the day, even the children. For me this has a certain tradition as even my parents were drinking tea at home, and so I grew up with mint tea - I still remain faithful to the herbal teas. The children also love mint tea - not that I've influenced them.
Stefanie Graf: Of course, if the children once a pancake supper wish, that's okay too. Both children are very active and like healthy eating, because we have to worry about.
Berliner Morgenpost: Bake in Las Vegas to the old recipes from the homeland?
Stefanie Graf: From time to time. When is our first cake on the table, it is eaten immediately. We cook generally very happy with the whole family, even with the kids, and enjoy it, all to be together in the kitchen. Our children have their own cookbooks, and then there's still the old German recipe book that my mother has recovered recently.
Stefanie Graf ... a fireplace, we actually have a fireplace that burns with real wood.
Berliner Morgenpost: Will there also once drank a whiskey?
Stefanie Graf: No, I have tasted alcohol before. It is rare than a glass of wine on the table. Maximum when we go eat. Actually, we enjoy the comfort of your home. For us to play the most from in a room, the kitchen is large and goes into the living room over, which often turns into a game room. What we do is to completely loose.
Berliner Morgenpost: They open up a tea lounge in Berlin. How does that feel they can make your own with a name advertising?
Stefanie Graf: The name alone is not decisive. Product quality must fit with me, otherwise lacks any credibility. And how does it feel? In public appearances I'm often nervous and have a stomach flutter. I am not used to such scenes, because I'm so rarely in public.
Berliner Morgenpost: The performances will take your promotional as long as your job. But that's your job?
Stefanie Graf: My job is primarily to be a mother. That's my biggest role. In addition, my Children for Tomorrow Foundation at heart and several business engagements, for example, with my fitness chain. This work is fun to me and calls me.
Berliner Morgenpost: Nevertheless, you rarely visit to Germany and Europe. Have you traveled enough?Stefanie Graf: I'm still curious about the world. This curiosity can probably never be silent. I'm still happy to go, but ultimately it is important to me to be with the family and children. Because of my sports career I'm lucky to be able me to organize my time off today and to be there for my family. This is the most important thing for me.
http://www.morgenpost.de/printarchiv/berlin/article1781201/Muttersein-ist-mein-wichtigster-Job.html
Michael Schumacher and Steffi Graf selected as the best male and female German atheletes of all time. Katarina Witt and Becker stand second.
http://www.bild.de/sport/2011/michael-schumacher/und-steffi-graf-sind-die-groessten-aller-zeiten-20312446.bild.html
Varvara Lapchenko and her mother with Steffi Graf as tweeted by Lapchenko. Lapchenko played at the Las Vegas Open, held in mid-September, along with Oudin and lost in the doubles final.
An archive from the past: Loved this comment from Reene Richards and this was way back in 1987 when Steffi has one only one slam to her name. And coincidentally, there was the ESPN documentary on Reene Richards last weekend.
"Steffi Graf's the kind of uinque player who comes along once in a decade. She could have been born on the moon, and she still would be Steffi Graf".
Reading this article from 1987 and amazed how things haven't changed much in 24 yrs despite wild success, fame and popularity and how she could have her priorities set straight from such an young age.
" She is mored awed by Evert's and Navratilova's public speaking than by their tennis games".
"And she hasn't focussed on the money at all. And she's turned down a number of products and deals as unsuitable, including a 500,000 dollar offer to pose nude for a men's magazine".
"I never think about the money she says, my father handles that. I have a credit card; if I see something I can buy it. Besides, the way I live, I don't need much".
"And I like to read. Through the whole tournament, I read Stephen King and I also like Hemingway". Hemingway? " He sees things in a different way".
Hemingway and Steffi Graf, now that is a pleasant surprise.
Just wondering how Andre got introduced to books as he mentioned in 'OPEN' that he got late into reading books and that it will be the top priority for his kids.
http://books.google.com/books?id=neUCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48&dq=steffi+graf&hl=en#v=onepage&q=steffi%20graf&f=true
And generally, don't like Douglas Perry's posts, too opiniated for me but couldn't resist this one as it is on Gaby, some nice pictures in there.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/tennis/2011/10/from_the_archives_gabriela_sab.html
An interview excerpt from last week but somehow missed it in my last post.
Here is a rough English translation:
"Motherhood is my most important job"Saturday, 1 October 2011 02:42
Only a few times a year at most, is the seven-time Wimbledon champion Steffi Graf (42) in Germany. In the adopted home of Las Vegas, she takes care of her children Jaden Gil (9) and Jaz Elle (7) along with her husband,Andre Agassi. This week, Graf, who has finished her career in 1999, opened the first German Tea Lounge at the Friedrichstrasse in Q110. She has talked to Kati Degenhardt in a relaxed atmosphere at the opening.
Berliner Morgenpost: Ms. Graf, how and where you usually relax?
Stefanie Graf: I'll relax when I'm with my family and we can spend time together. But when I have the feeling I need some time for me, I do sports. They still play an important role in my life. Not quite so often as I used to, but still a couple of times per week. And I can gather myself and physically and mentally recharge.
Berliner Morgenpost: What does pleasure mean for you?
Stefanie Graf: There is pleasure on many levels, such as eating or drinking or to be in an environment in which we feel comfortable.
Berliner Morgenpost: Has your perception changed over the years of enjoyment? Did you have to learn to enjoy?
Stefanie Graf: I already got a better understanding of time: how important it is to have time, and how quickly it passes. I live my life now more aware of that. Especially with children, we learn to appreciate more the time that one has.
Berliner Morgenpost: Speaking of time. There are several anniversaries in October in the family Graf / Agassi.
Stefanie Graf: We really have a great month before us, that's right.
Stefanie Graf: My husband and I do not put so much emphasis on special days or anniversaries - every single day is important to us. For the children it is of course something else, they enjoy especially on their birthdays. Our ten year old (anniversary) is certainly a beautiful day but nothing special is planned.
Stefanie Graf: We often start with tea in the day, even the children. For me this has a certain tradition as even my parents were drinking tea at home, and so I grew up with mint tea - I still remain faithful to the herbal teas. The children also love mint tea - not that I've influenced them.
Stefanie Graf: Of course, if the children once a pancake supper wish, that's okay too. Both children are very active and like healthy eating, because we have to worry about.
Berliner Morgenpost: Bake in Las Vegas to the old recipes from the homeland?
Stefanie Graf: From time to time. When is our first cake on the table, it is eaten immediately. We cook generally very happy with the whole family, even with the kids, and enjoy it, all to be together in the kitchen. Our children have their own cookbooks, and then there's still the old German recipe book that my mother has recovered recently.
Stefanie Graf ... a fireplace, we actually have a fireplace that burns with real wood.
Berliner Morgenpost: Will there also once drank a whiskey?
Stefanie Graf: No, I have tasted alcohol before. It is rare than a glass of wine on the table. Maximum when we go eat. Actually, we enjoy the comfort of your home. For us to play the most from in a room, the kitchen is large and goes into the living room over, which often turns into a game room. What we do is to completely loose.
Berliner Morgenpost: They open up a tea lounge in Berlin. How does that feel they can make your own with a name advertising?
Stefanie Graf: The name alone is not decisive. Product quality must fit with me, otherwise lacks any credibility. And how does it feel? In public appearances I'm often nervous and have a stomach flutter. I am not used to such scenes, because I'm so rarely in public.
Berliner Morgenpost: The performances will take your promotional as long as your job. But that's your job?
Stefanie Graf: My job is primarily to be a mother. That's my biggest role. In addition, my Children for Tomorrow Foundation at heart and several business engagements, for example, with my fitness chain. This work is fun to me and calls me.
Berliner Morgenpost: Nevertheless, you rarely visit to Germany and Europe. Have you traveled enough?Stefanie Graf: I'm still curious about the world. This curiosity can probably never be silent. I'm still happy to go, but ultimately it is important to me to be with the family and children. Because of my sports career I'm lucky to be able me to organize my time off today and to be there for my family. This is the most important thing for me.
http://www.morgenpost.de/printarchiv/berlin/article1781201/Muttersein-ist-mein-wichtigster-Job.html
Michael Schumacher and Steffi Graf selected as the best male and female German atheletes of all time. Katarina Witt and Becker stand second.
http://www.bild.de/sport/2011/michael-schumacher/und-steffi-graf-sind-die-groessten-aller-zeiten-20312446.bild.html
Varvara Lapchenko and her mother with Steffi Graf as tweeted by Lapchenko. Lapchenko played at the Las Vegas Open, held in mid-September, along with Oudin and lost in the doubles final.
An archive from the past: Loved this comment from Reene Richards and this was way back in 1987 when Steffi has one only one slam to her name. And coincidentally, there was the ESPN documentary on Reene Richards last weekend.
"Steffi Graf's the kind of uinque player who comes along once in a decade. She could have been born on the moon, and she still would be Steffi Graf".
Reading this article from 1987 and amazed how things haven't changed much in 24 yrs despite wild success, fame and popularity and how she could have her priorities set straight from such an young age.
" She is mored awed by Evert's and Navratilova's public speaking than by their tennis games".
"And she hasn't focussed on the money at all. And she's turned down a number of products and deals as unsuitable, including a 500,000 dollar offer to pose nude for a men's magazine".
"I never think about the money she says, my father handles that. I have a credit card; if I see something I can buy it. Besides, the way I live, I don't need much".
"And I like to read. Through the whole tournament, I read Stephen King and I also like Hemingway". Hemingway? " He sees things in a different way".
Hemingway and Steffi Graf, now that is a pleasant surprise.
Just wondering how Andre got introduced to books as he mentioned in 'OPEN' that he got late into reading books and that it will be the top priority for his kids.
http://books.google.com/books?id=neUCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48&dq=steffi+graf&hl=en#v=onepage&q=steffi%20graf&f=true
And generally, don't like Douglas Perry's posts, too opiniated for me but couldn't resist this one as it is on Gaby, some nice pictures in there.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/tennis/2011/10/from_the_archives_gabriela_sab.html
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