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.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
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
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