Steffi Graf

 The way her tennis racket moved was just like lightning in the sky before rains. So quick and perfect her game was. So much fun to watch on the television screen. How lucky they were who must have watched her game on the court!

A cute face, a bit shy kind of person, cool and calm, no tantrums, she used to play a very smooth game, no shouting with excitement during the game. Very focused and confident. I still remember how she looked, it was a pleasure watching her too besides her game. A pleated skirt, comfortable to play and jump and move while playing, a collared T-shirt, nice beautiful hair and hairstyle, sometimes she used to wear a ribbon or say a hairband on her forehead. And sports shoes and tennis racket in her right hand. 

Game is important for a player but I think it is their overall appearance and temperament and how they behave on the ground that gives them identity and fame. 

By now you must have known as to whom am I talking about? And which game? ???

Yes, it's my most favourite since my childhood and I admire her for her game, for her extraordinary career graph and her achievements, her looks, her luck on the ground and as well as in her personal life, everything is just perfect which has made me her FAN.

Stephanie Maria Graf i.e. popularly known as Steffi Graf. Born on 14th June 1969 in Germany. Her first and important coach for her Tennis was her father Peter Graf. He was an aspiring Tennis coach and introduced his daughter to the game. At her age of 3 years, he taught her how to swing a wooden racket, in the family living room. She began practising on a court at the age of 4 and played the first tournament at five. 

And she won top prizes at Junior tournaments. So the European Championship 12s and 18s in 1982. She eventually had two more coaches from whom she took her rigorous training. I think she became habitual to win and just kept winning.

She played Australian open and 4-time winner of the single title, French open - 6 single titles, most precious of all Wimbledon 7 times champion of the single titles, which I still remember as to how the closing ceremony and prizes were given by her Highness, the Queen of England and how precious to watch it. US open- 5 times winner of the title; Italian open and Olympics she won Gold, Bronze and silver medals and so on ... during her career. 

Gabriela Sabatini was her competitor many times, I too liked her a lot. Steffi also played few doubles with men also and with one more famous and her senior player Martina Navratilova. 

Steffi Graf was ranked world no. 1 for a record 377 weeks. And she is a 22 Grand slam singles title winner. And a first Golden Slam by winning all four Grand Slam singles titles and Olympic Gold in the same calendar year.

Her focus on the game, her footwork, and all her technical and other qualities made her greatest female player of all time. She retired from the game at the age of 30, in 1999.

Truly unforgettable games and a player. Admired by Crore of viewers and her fans. I believe she has been lucky also in her personal life. She married to a great and former world no. 1 men's tennis player Andre Agassi in October 2001. She has two children. 

Steffi Graf has been recognised and has got many rewards and accolades. Also after retirement, she is active and contributing to Tennis, a founder and Chairperson of " Children for Tomorrow,"' a non-profit organization which is established in 1998.

Steffi is named as greatest female tennis player of the 20th century by a panel of experts assembled by the Associated Press. She is one of a kind, a great player and human being. I wish I meet her personally one day in future.  It is said that such people are beyond any boundary. She may be from German and citizen of US but nothing can stop us from admiring her... a great Tennis player of a kind ... one and only ... Steffi Graf ...