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Graf enjoying retirement, won't return
Steffi Graf is enjoying retirement and family life. Don't expect to see her in a tournament again — even as a mixed doubles partner for husband Andre Agassi.
Agassi mentioned in early 2003 that they might team up at that year's French Open, but those plans were scrapped because Graf was pregnant with their second child.
Asked what the chances are of such a pairing, Graf said: "Extremely, extremely slim."
Graf, 34, will be enshrined in the Hall in a ceremony July 11, along with Stefan Edberg and Dodo Cheney. Their elections were announced in January.
"I'm getting rewarded from the biggest, biggest possible way and that's from the Hall of Fame," Graf said Wednesday. "It's like a dream come true."
The German won 107 singles titles, including 22 at Grand Slam tournaments: four Australian Opens (1988-90, '94), six French Opens (1987-88, '93, 1995-96, '99), seven Wimbledons (1988-89, 1991-93, 1995-96), and five U.S. Opens (1988-89, '93, 1995-96).
She won a calendar-year Grand Slam in 1988, when she also claimed an Olympic gold medal.
When Graf quit in August 1999, she was ranked No. 3 — the highest for a player announcing retirement since computer ranking began in 1975, according to the Hall.
She said Wednesday that tennis took a toll on her body, particularly her back and knees. But physical struggles only strengthened her desire to win.
"My passion and desire for the sport has given me such a drive," Graf said. "I enjoyed working out all those parts; it made me the player who I was."
Even though she doesn't get much playing time now, her passion for the sport hasn't diminished.
"It feels great to be on the court," Graf said. "I still love it." |
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