The discussion was interesting and most picked Steffi as the best ever although she prefers to have Martina in that spot. Even Jon Wertheim mellowed down a little bit from his 'Serena is best ever' claim from last year, although deep down, seems like he still believes it. This particular comment from him seemed very interesting at the least to me: "Optional homework: Spark up YouTube. Then watch some of Serena's matches. Then watch some of the other candidates play. It's like comparing Albert Pujols to Rogers Hornsby, Tiger Woods to Sam Snead. It's barely the same sport". How can you punish Steffi, Martina and Chrissie for being born in a different era and assume they are going to lose against Serena because Serena is powerful in the current generation?
I can't help but resist this comparision to a teenager saying: "Cmon Mr.Wertheim, just chill out. The competition is so tough compared to your generation, so I am way better than you than you were back in the day. Just go back and read what you were taught at the same age as me and see how much more we have to do now to get good scores, no way you can do better than me in this cut throat competition. So stop lecturing him now". Wonder what Professor Wertheim would say if one his students said that to him !!!!! Sounds absurd but hey, sports or education or any achievement for that matter, you can never compare across generations.
Also, in a recent mailbag, he said why not be 'Wozrena' fans, can support Wozniacki during non-slams and Serena during slams but what he forgets to take into account in this particular discussion is that Evert, Navratilova, Court, Graf and Seles and many more in the past were Wozrenas, they played even a non-slam like a slam.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/tennis/09/26/serena-williams/index.html?sct=tn_t11_a0
Steffi at Berlin Tea event:
http://www.tikonline.de/top-stories/detail.php?nr=114873&rubric=Top-Stories
http://www.purepeople.com/article/steffi-graf-toujours-elegante-la-championne-ouvre-son-salon-de-the_a88267/1
Can find more pictures from the event in this link including some pictures from the airport and her arrival at the Tea Lounge as well.
http://pluzmedia.com/galleries/sports/16529/steffi-graf-hosts-the-launch-of-teekanne-tealounge-store/1
A video link to the same event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tVH3It5rXg
Steffis' interview to a German TV (rough English translation):
Steffi Graf to her rare public appearances:
I feel tense and nervous, no question. Have tingling in the morning and you know that you stand back in the public and I'm not quite so much accustomed to. My Life in Las Vegas is somewhat secluded and there are moments in the spotlight more often. And as I said, I was very nervous this morning and am even now.
Her life in Las Vegas and its role as a mother:
Of course, this is a very different life. For one has to do with the fact that I have finished my career and less travel, live a quieter life. Secondly, the fact that we are based in Las Vegas. Many people have crazy ideas of Las Vegas. This is actually a pretty normal life, to be honest. With us, of course, the children are foremost and the priority, because of course everything revolves around them, mainly because I'm their mother. We live just outside the city center, which of course is peppered with many casinos. But it's interesting in a different way. We are near the mountains in a small suburban town, where the children go to school as usual and have their friends, because there are playgrounds and a normal environment.
The tennis star on the cultural differences in education:
I'm German and of course bring a lot of German to Las Vegas. But the world is also closer together so what is typically German, yet ultimately, what's more typically American? I believe that so many cultures mix with each other and that's really the beautiful too. But the German language, I naturally brought into the house, the two (kids) perhaps talk a little bit less, but they understand. The German food is also placed on the table, without question - and there are some traditions that I have of course brought along.
About the values they want to teach their children:
For us it is important that we make children very aware of their surroundings, to others. Respect for others is crucial to respond to others. But also cohesion and loyalty.
Among the sporting talent of their children: We'll see, but they are definitely very active and have already tried several sports before, in some they are stuck. Jaden plays as much like baseball, jazz and hip-hop loves to ride. Both are talented in snowboarding, as we also look forward to the coming winter. You try it, but are also very interested in playing music, instruments, have fun at creative people. We hope that they find their passion and self discovery. We will be pleased to accompany them happy, but they have to discover for themselves.
Present commitment to sport: The daily sport I need no longer determined, but I need sports, definitely! Naturally I have had the opportunity to learn through my sport, how well one is doing. Whether that is now physical, the expenditure, but also ultimately mental, a little off, to take the time for themselves, to focus on yourself and to get energy from it. I'm still trying a few times a week, it is of course not as regular as before, but it's still very important.
About her happy and scandal-free relationship with Andre Agassi: We are quite clear in what we have sought and we found each other. People meet, and you look in the eyes and can tell, there is no recipe for it. That we have similar values that we know fairly precisely what is important to us than anything else we can talk and talk and then find a way.
About her adopted country America: It was the right step to follow my husband, absolutely, no question! I've never been called into question. My home is finally here and in America. The fact that I have with my foundation here in Germany and am now on as promotional tour for "Teakennae Tea" on the road, there are always things that bring me to Germany. I am very happy.
http://www.prmaximus.de/25574
A snippet from this interview was covered in most news all over the globe. Here is one of many.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/tennis/graf-remains-shy-and-retiring-type/story-e6frecvc-1226157012800
On 20th anniversary of Steffi being the youngest player to achieve 500 career wins, here is an archive from the past covering the news. Evert was a little older than Graf but did that with a few less matches than Steffi (545 mtahces vs. 569 matches).
"Victory No. 500 for Graf: Steffi Graf reached a career milestone by becoming the youngest woman to win 500 matches as a professional. Graf needed just 36 minutes to defeat Petra Langrova of Czechoslovakia, 6-0, 6-1, in the Leipzig International tournament in Germany. Graf is 22 years 3 months old. Chris Evert, who held the record, was 22 years 9 months old when she defeated Nancy Richey at the 1977 United States Open for her 500th victory. Graf set the record playing in 569 matches, but Evert needed only 545 to reach 500 victories".
http://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/03/sports/results-plus-175891.html?pagewanted=2&src=pm
