2012 Musings - 11

Tough to beleive that it has been 30 yrs to date since a young girl from West Germany started her career as a professional on the tour. She lost that match 6-0,6-4 to Tracy Austin, a US open champ by then and what Austin said about Graf is forever etched in history as forget 1982 or the US, even to this date there is no other player like Steffi Graf all around the planet. Wonder how Austin of today feels when she reads what she had to say. Won't be surprised if someone asks "Tracy, are you having a Steffi Graf"???

And what can I say except for being mad at myself for not writing this first!
http://www.sportsnewsnow.co.uk/the-greatest-tennis-players-of-all-time-no-1/

Some of the greatest clay court players and Steffi's least favourite surface!!!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1347476-greatest-clay-court-players-in-tennis-history#/articles/1347476-greatest-clay-court-players-in-tennis-history/page/14

And why am I not surprised to hear that Sharapova's dream was to play against Steffi Graf on clay..
http://www.gazzetta.it/Tennis/16-10-2012/sharapova-sogno-grande-mio-figlio-sara-forte-come-me-912929327687.shtml

Steffi's interview in a German magazine:
http://www.ksta.de/koeln/steffi-graf-im-interview--ich-moechte-nichts-aendern-,15187530,20074260.html

And her take on German players:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/sports/2012/09/20/open-court-tennis-steffi-graf.cnn?iref=allsearch

And when you are Graf and agassi, you can woo anyone to invest where you live:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/wall-street-journal/tennis-duo-graf-and-agassi-woo-aussie-water-park-investors/story-fnay3vxj-1226489101356
Busy month as usual for Steffi, from New York to Cologne to Vegas and October is an important month in the Agassi-Graf household for a no:of reasons.
Longines and Town&Country Magazine Honor Extraordinary Women at 'Longines Women Who Make a Difference' Awards



Pictures from the recent WTT event in Pittsburg.
http://www.cordonpress.com/pedidos/smash181012/inicio.html

Sometimes tough to make out what Wertheim is saying as clearly it is not depth of the feild that prevented Serena from being in the top 5 consistently but great question though....

Just curious to how much weight is given for consistency in the GOAT debate. We always talk about when such and such a player is at their best, they can beat anybody. But what about how consistent they are in bringing their best game day in and day out? Just read this: Steffi Graf's lowest singles ranking from March 1987 to June 1997 was No. 2!!!
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20121003/bryans-doubles-mailbag/index.html

Would give a '10' to Cristea just for trying. How I miss that slice BH....
http://telly.com/LZ1CT

Graf and Agassi to play in Switzerland next year againts Heinz Gunthardt:
http://www.20min.ch/sport/tennis/story/Agassi-und-Graf--spielen-mit-Guenthardt-in-Zug-26458255

Steffi and McHale:

2012 Musings - 10

US open started in full swing and and just like every GS, miss Steffi on court, 13 yrs since she retired and still considered as role model for many. August 13th will forever be remembered as the day Steffi Graf retired from tennis and tennis officially retired from my life, no longer watch a whole match with the same anticipation or interest.

In a recent poll conducted in Germany, majority of German women picked Steffi Graf as their role model which is not a surprise but good to know she is still adored and respected.
http://www.abendblatt.de/vermischtes/article2382433/Ex-Tennis-Star-Steffi-Graf-grosses-Vorbild-fuer-die-Deutschen.html

Steffi commenting about the current top female German players and despite being known to be hard on herself during her career, non-judgemental when it comes to assessing the rest.
http://de.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/graf-potenzial-f%C3%BCr-grand-slam-titel-080857845.html

Behind the scenes look at Agassi-Graf Olympic story on CNN.
http://worldsport.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/03/behind-the-scenes-with-graf-and-agassi/?iid=article_sidebar

To 'Fabulous FH' at the Olympic Addidas press meet:
http://news.adidas.com/GLOBAL/tennis-legend-steffi-graf-and-olympic-medallist-fernando-gonzalez-visit-the-adidas-london-2012-media/s/8363f66e-8b59-4fd1-ad36-4a59e910401e

Steffi Graf commenting about Murray's chances in Olympic finals:
http://sport.uk.msn.com/video-clips/?VideoID=2i22l7po#

Anne Worcester recalling how Steffi Graf's participation at New Haven in 98 put the tournament on the world map.
http://articles.courant.com/2012-08-15/sports/hc-new-haven-tennis-memories-0817-20120815_1_first-wta-event-new-haven-open-wta-tour

Who am I to disagree with Ron Swanson:
"Strippers don't do it for me. I like a strong, salt-of-the-earth woman at the top of her game. Your Steffi Grafs." -- Ron Swanson, from Parks and Recreation.

Bud Collins is back, how can we forget the man who coined/popularized 'Fraulein Forehand' and one of the few media persons that called her by her proper name 'Stefanie'. Great picture of Steffi accompanying the write up.

http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/27/bud-collins-set-to-return-to-grand-slam-tennis/

And here is Bud recalling Steffi's Golden Slam victory from 1988:
Budge said he expected Graf to capture the Slam after watching her in Australia. At the Wimbledon Ball, he told her, “Steffi, when you win the Grand Slam, I hope they let me present the trophy.”
http://www.tennisgrandstand.com/archives/643/

And Steffi's win at Seoul makes into this top 10 Olympic moments list:
http://www.careerathletes.com/news1.php

And since it is the Olympic year, time to revisit some old articles:
Loved this write up in particular:
The most awesome thing about this Miss Steffi Graf is not that she is 19 years old and has already won the Grand Slam Plus One. That's history. Oh, no. The real scary thing about this Miss Graf is that she roared through the final match of the Summer Games, not just a kid having a fine time at the Olympics but also a superb technician adding a level to her game.
http://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/02/sports/sports-of-the-times-make-steffi-play-lefty.html

And this particular comment by her which holds true 24 yrs after she did it and no one has achieved it yet:
''I'm very excited,'' she said. ''It's something not many people after me will achieve. It's amazing.''

http://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/01/sports/the-seoul-olympics-tennis-graf-adds-gold-to-her-grand-88-record.html

And here is the Gold Medal Presentation:



And finally, ON THIS DATE (Aug. 28, 1984): 15-year-old Steffi Graf made her U.S. Open debut, losing to Sylvia Hanika.

2012 Musings -9

Well, the Olympic season is set to start soon and as usual, looking for the next gold medal winner. Nice to see Steffi in the spotlight with Wimbledon and Olympics back to back.

Top 10 Olympic moments and looking back, who would have predicted the future of Steffi Graf and Stefan Edberg when they played at 84 Olympics to convince the world that Tennis did belong to the Olympics. Wondering if Steffi Graf had not won the 'Golden Slam' in 88, how many of the top players would have taken Olympics seriously as they are doing now. Everyone aims for the elusive Golden Slam.
http://www.thetennisspace.com/top-10/top-10-olympic-stories/

Steffi and Andre sharing their Olympic memories:
http://edition.cnn.com/video/?hpt=ite_t1#/video/sports/2012/07/19/tennis-agassi-graf-olympic-winners.cnn

An excerpt from the above interview :
http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/agassi-winning-gold-was-an-out-of-body-experience/

Sometimes, no matter how much you know about Steffi's records, you are just blown away by how dominant she was. From 1987-1990, Steffi's win-loss record was 305-12 (for real!!!! and 5 of those loses came in 1990). Just to compare, Monica Seles was 215-19 from 90 to 93 prior to being stabbed, has already more losses by that time and who else but Roger Federer is close at 315-24 from 2004-2007, his peak period with 9 losses in 2007 alone.
But Steffi won a total of 3 and not 2 Olympic medals as this one says at the end, she won a bronze in doubles in 88 which wasn't accounted for.
http://wtabackspin.blogspot.com/2012/07/top-12-olympic-tennis-moments.html

That brings up this analysis, how perhaps only Steffi Graf can match up to Roger's records, not just the fabulous forehand and one handed BH that sets them apart from the rest.
http://tennis.si.com/2012/07/18/roger-federer-steffi-graf-records-stats/

And Steffi along with Andre watching Federer's match and did meet him too. Now how many combined GS would that make!!
http://steffi-graf.net/wimbledon-2012-recap/

Lots of pictures from Steffi's Wimbledon visit and family vacation to Italy:
http://www.gettyimages.com/ (search under Steffi Graf)
http://www.babyrazzi.com/2012/07/10/andre-agassi-and-steffi-graf-hit-italy-with-their-kids/
http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/7988/sport/photoalbum/detail/1467186/1148219/17/De-idyllische-gezinsvakantie-van-Andre-Agassi-en-Steffi-Graf.dhtml

And an interview in a German magazine:
http://www.rp-online.de/sport/mehr/tennis/familie-ist-wichtiger-als-tennis-1.2910921

And one more prior to Wimbledon:
http://www.stylist.co.uk/people/interviews-and-profiles/interview-steffi-graf

And nice to see, Starlight Express donating to Steffis' foundation:
http://www.derwesten.de/staedte/bochum/steffi-graf-in-bochum-id6884114.html

And yes, Kerber did get to meet her idol at Wimbledon:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/05/sports/tennis/2012-wimbledon-kerber-is-suddenly-in-demand.html?_r=1

A  video about Steffi's CFT's activities:

2012 Musings - 8

Well, another FO done and dusted. Nadal and Sharapova entered the record books as anticipated. Part of me wanted Djokovic to win the FO since it has been the year that Steffi Graf was born that a male player won a calendar year slam and also that he could continue his quest for a 'GOLDEN SLAM' but part of me wanted Steffi Graf to be the only player to do that and the last wish came true at least as of now. 4 more years before someone else has a chance to do that. Till then (and if it were up to me, forever), Steffi stands alone.

Interview done by Steffi while she was in Paris (published as a series):
http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/graf-interview-olympic-gold-more-special-than-grand-slams/
http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/graf-andre-and-i-are-amazed-at-the-level-of-mens-tennis/
http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/steffi-graf-sharapova-is-a-complete-tennis-player/

This one on the official RG website:
http://2012.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2012-06-09/201206091339262080603.html

And yes, Steffi is as fit as ever. An upcoming Australian teen was the lucky winner who got to hit with Steffi Graf, some one who was born after Steffi retired and never watched her play, but when she grows up, for sure will realize how lucky she was.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/tennis/steffi-graf-proves-she-hasnt-lost-her-skills-in-exhibition-match-in-paris/story-e6frfgao-1226390366110
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/tennis/steffi-graf-sings-aussie-12-year-old-destanee-aiavas-praises/story-e6frfgao-1226390463233

Two of Steffi's matches made it to the top 5 French finals list, she lost in one and had a memorable win in the other but both were scintillating matches going into 3 sets, something that is missing in the current day tennis. The last time a FO final went to 3 sets was in 2001.
http://www.tennis.com/articles/templates/features.aspx?articleid=18123&zoneid=9

Steffi ranked as top 9 in the ESPN top 40 female atheletes in the last 40 yrs, just above Serena who was ranked at 10. If it were up to me, she would be the top female athelete but hey, I do not work at ESPN. And this was done by American media, know the list would be different if done in Europe or Asia or Australia.
http://espn.go.com/espnw/title-ix/top-40-female-athletes/_/num/32

Steffi with Miss France for CFT Gala and Steffi also received Longiness award for elegance this year.
http://www.gala.fr/l_actu/on_ne_parle_que_de_ca/gala_by_night_steffi_graf_et_miss_france_brillent_chez_longines_266926

And this was the one, I liked the most of all the interviews, as this response moved me the most:
"Two years ago, Andre published his autobiography "Open". How did you feel that your love story will be revealed to the world?
- (She laughs.) I watched all these years. (She searches for words.) I saw him get involved, to delve into his writings, I have followed the development of his book. It was a very intense period for him. I did not contribute much. I felt that this was a project which he thought deeply. And I am proud of what he did. As he says in his title, there is an openness that I admire in him. I reinforced his need to convey and say things. I was OK with that. Even if it was not easy for me. (Her voice begins to shake.) I do not feel necessarily comfortable with that. But the way he wrote certain passages in our history ... You know ... I tell myself I'm the luckiest girl on earth."
http://www.letemps.ch/Page/Uuid/0c21cb84-b1a7-11e1-a67a-d0cf93cfcd4b/Jadmire_louverture_desprit_dAndr%C3%A9

A video link to parts of the above interview:
http://www.letemps.ch/Page/Uuid/0b210524-b1a7-11e1-a67a-d0cf93cfcd4b/Je_suis_la_fille_la_plus_chanceuse_de_la_terre

And finally, TAIWANING.
Lots of images and youtube videos have been uploaded from Steffi's recent Taiwan trip, a few of them listed below:

Nice to see her still running for every ball even at her age (watch the first point in the video), her atheleticism on court is what is missed the most.

http://www.3news.co.nz/VIDEO-Hingis-and-Ivanisevic-trump-Agassi-and-Graf-in-Taiwan/tabid/317/articleID/255719/Default.aspx

And what a timing of Graf's visit to Taiwan....

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2012/05/28/342502/Coincidence-of.htm

A lot has been made up by the media about Agassi's auction of Steffi's photo last year and refreshing to watch steffi's light hearted response when asked about the same.

And last but not the least, a happy B'day to Fraulein Forehand.

2012 Musings - 7

DERBYING.......
Steffi was rocking at the Derby event, loved all her constumes.



Can't agree more with the best dressed award!!

http://the-slice.com/2012/05/graf-and-agassi-on-kentucky-derby-eve/?tw_p=twt

Some video links to the interviews:

http://www.hrtv.com/videos/andre-agassi--steffi-graf-derby-red-carpet/

http://www.courier-journal.com/VideoNetwork/1623665947001/Andre-Agassi-and-Steffi-Graf-on-the-Kentucky-Derby-red-carpet&odyssey=mod%7Cvideo%7C%7Cumbrella

http://www.wkyt.com/news/headlines/Celebrities_attend_24th_Annual_Barnstable_Brown_Party_150263175.html?mobile=yes&device=ipad&site=full

But it is high time to get her name right, no !!

2012 Musings - 6

As usual a busy month for Steffi. She was in Hamburg for CFT meeting, then this Tuesday, Agassi and Graf are co-hosting a 'MOVE campaign program during Michelle Obama's Vegas visit, then off to Kentucky Derby and later on to Taiwan.
http://www.abendblatt.de/hamburg/article2259932/Steffi-Graf-bei-Blitzbesuch-im-Uni-Klinikum-Eppendorf.html

On the eve of 25th anniversary of Steffi Graf's first GS title at the FO, a german channel is featuring a 100 min documentary on her life. Just based on description looks like a great program. Hopefully, this does not get restricted to Germany alone.
http://www.finanznachrichten.de/nach...che-23-007.htm  

Steffis' girls???
http://www.thetennisspace.com/opinion/steffis-girls-germanys-gang-of-five/

Steffi, Stuart and Andre.

http://raspberryprairie.com/blog/2012/3/22/steffi-stuart-andre.html
http://blog.clubindustry.com/fitnessbusinessproblog/2012/03/28/my-interview-with-andre/

Steffi and Andre were at Marlins game last month
http://twitter.com/#!/LM27Z/status/187726460734279680/photo/1
http://twitter.com/#!/rauldemolina/status/187714120055930881/photo/1

Steffi and Andre in Miami for annual spring vacation.
http://www.super.cz/10557-nejslavnejsi-tenisovy-par-sveta-andre-agassi-a-steffi-graf-si-uzivali-rodinnou-idylku-na-plazi.html

Now, that is trait of a champion:
"When tennis star Steffi Graf was questioned on why she stayed number one for so long, she would remark that she trained like she was number two.".
http://www.brw.com.au/p/sections/fyi/anthony_bell_build_versus_buy_Y7Kg1UNCbFmyoOV7aJHATP

2012 Musings - 5

Vika, the shreika is on a 23-0 (and still counting) winning streak and so everybody is suddenly interested in the longest winning streaks at the beginning of the year and like everything else, guess whose is on the top of the list, Steffi Graf with a 45-0 winning streak from the beginning of the year in 1987 and I am sure there are many more winning streaks like that prior to the open era as well. It's a shame when reputed sources like AP and SI do not check before publishing details like this and this gets passed on in every article as if it is the fact. Neither Steffi's streak from 87 or Navratilova's streak have been included in this top 10 list. Just shows how little the current generation of so call sports journalists know about the past, the sport about which they right every day but never bother to look back at the records before writing something. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/1203/tennis.womens.longest.win.streaks/content.1.html?sct=tn_bf2_a3
Also, everyone keeps talking how dominant Serena Williams and Monica Seles (pre-stabbing) were and about their mental toughness but how about Steffi Graf who won consistently every year on every surface out there. Impressive is a very small word to use.
Here are the winning streaks for the beginning of the year that are more than 20 in her playing career:
1987 45-0
1989 31-0
1990 25-0
1994 32-0
1995 32-0
and to add, none of those are considered the best year of her career as she won the 'Golden Slam' in 88.
For all the talk about Monica Seles being dominant in 90-93 period and beating players left and right, Monica Seles had 19 straight wins in 92 and Serena Williams 23-0 in 2003.
Well, I don't need to say anything else, the numbers speak for themselves.

Need anymore data about who is the best. Well, here is some more.
- The only two players to win the Indian wells/Miami double twice is none other than Steffi Graf and Roger Federer (great FH, single handed BH and on court atheleticism making tennis look like an art rather than a game). Federer has a chance to do it again this year but would be a tough ask but you can never say never with great champions.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1081479-tennis-march-madness-nine-who-won-indian-wells-and-miami-back-to-back#/articles/1081479-tennis-march-madness-nine-who-won-indian-wells-and-miami-back-to-back/page/11

Couldn't agree more with Bruce Jenkins but forget about upcoming German players, wonder if any player from any other country would be able to replicate what Steffi did.

"First Sabine Lisicki, then Andrea Petkovic, then Julia Goerges and Angelique Kerber, all of them now in the top 20, and Mona Barthels (who nearly upset Azarenka) on the rise. These are scintillating times for German women's tennis, in the great tradition of Steffi Graf, but step back for a moment to realize what these contemporary stars are up against in terms of a long-lasting impact on the sport.

So far, although they all show great promise, none of them has won a major. Graf won 22, going back-to-back (at least) at all four majors and winning the French-Wimbledon double four times, not to mention her Golden Slam (all four majors plus the Olympic singles title) in 1988. A formidable standard, indeed."
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20120313/anti-shot-clock/#ixzz1prHi2YPH

And, what a great opportunity for the Adidas players to get to hit with Steffi, she has a lot to offer to the younger generation, both on and off court.
http://ow.ly/i/usEM
http://ow.ly/i/usEW
http://ow.ly/i/u9he
http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2012/03/04/news-and-notes-march-3-2012/

A short video of Steffi hitting with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova during the adidas camp.

Steffi and Andre at the recent boot camp for top atheletes in Arizona.
http://elizabethvincentphotography.com/blog/?p=5936

Steffi and Andre being awarded a 'Boxing' belt at the same event and something tells me that Mike Agassi would be approve of this.

http://wbcboxing.com/wbcVersEng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1803&Itemid=80