Steffi Graf
Steffi Graf
Stefanie Maria "Steffi" Grafis a German former tennis player, who was ranked world No. 1 during her career. Graf won 22 Grand Slam singles titles. Her 22 singles titles, tied with Serena Williams, marks the joint record for most Major wins by a tennis playersince the introduction of the Open Era in 1968 and is second all-time behind Margaret Court. In 1988, she became the first and only tennis playerto achieve the Golden Slam by winning all four Grand Slam...
NationalityGerman
ProfessionTennis Player
Date of Birth14 June 1969
CityMannheim, Germany
CountryGermany
I have always been guided by striving to show the best that I could. That is what kept me going in tennis and it is the same now.
Sometimes I wish I could have been a bit more relaxed, but then I wouldn't have been the same player.
My big dream was to work as a photographer for 'National Geographic.'
I don't ever look back. I look forward.
You cannot compare your athletic achievement to the importance of children and giving them a safe environment in which to grow up and enjoy life.
There is no relief at it being over. There is the joy of winning it.
You can't measure success if you have never failed.
You can have a certain arrogance, and I think that's fine, but what you should never lose is the respect for the others.
I never look back, I look forward.
If you watch Rafael Nadal play tennis, you can only respond with amazement and great admiration. He is an incredible athlete with so much discipline, so much concentration and someone who likes to put a lot of passion into every point. Words fail to come out of me to describe his game appropriately. I've rarely seen anyone who approaches a ball with so much attention. With such passion and joy that it makes great fun to watch him. With him, you can associate everything that makes tennis so beautiful.
As long as I can focus on enjoying what I'm doing, having fun, I know I'll play well.
When you lose a couple of times, it makes you realize how difficult it is to win.
You can't measure success if you have never failed. My father has taught me that if you really do want to reach your goals, you can't spend any time worrying about whether you're going to win or lose. Focus only on getting better.