Editing Steffi Graf (section)

==Career==
===Early career===
Graf played in her first professional tournament in October 1982 at [[1982 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Filderstadt]], Germany. She lost her first round match 6–4, 6–0 to [[Tracy Austin]], a two-time US Open champion and former world No. 1 player.

At the start of her first full professional year in 1983, Graf was 13 years old and ranked world No. 124. She won no titles during the next three years, but her ranking climbed steadily to world No. 98 in 1983, No. 22 in 1984, and No. 6 in 1985. In 1984, she first gained international attention when she almost upset the tenth seed, [[Jo Durie]] of the United Kingdom, in a fourth round [[Centre Court]] match at Wimbledon. In August as a 15-year-old (and youngest entrant) representing West Germany, she won the tennis demonstration event at the [[1984 Summer Olympics|1984 Olympic Games]] in Los Angeles. No medals were awarded as this was not an official Olympic event.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/athletes/profiles/bio_uk.asp?PAR_I_ID=64473 |title=Steffi Graf: The Golden Slam |publisher=Olympic.org |access-date=4 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616133142/http://www.olympic.org/uk/athletes/profiles/bio_uk.asp?PAR_I_ID=64473 |archive-date=16 June 2009 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Graf's schedule was closely controlled by her father Peter Graf, who limited her play so that she would not burn out.<ref name="latimes1987">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-09-13-sp-7824-story.html |title=Both on and Off Court, Graf Has Come a Long Way in Past Year |work=Los Angeles Times |date=13 September 1987 |first=John |last=Feinstein |access-date=18 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829210451/http://articles.latimes.com/1987-09-13/sports/sp-7824_1_peter-graf |archive-date=29 August 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In 1985, for instance, she played only ten events leading up to the US Open, whereas another up-and-coming star, [[Gabriela Sabatini]], played 21. Peter Graf also kept a tight rein on his daughter's personal life. Social invitations on the tour were often declined as Graf's focus was kept on practicing and match play. Working with her father and then-coach [[Pavel Složil]], Graf typically practiced for up to four hours a day, often heading straight from airports to practice courts. This narrow focus meant that Graf, already shy and retiring by nature,<ref name="latimes1987"/> made few friends on the tour in her early years, but it led to a steady improvement in her play.

In 1985 and early 1986, Graf emerged as the top challenger to the dominance of [[Martina Navratilova]] and [[Chris Evert]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-06-08-sp-9730-story.html |title=Graf, 16, Can Handle Pressure |work=Los Angeles Times |date=8 June 1986 |first=John |last=Feinstein |access-date=18 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016223012/http://articles.latimes.com/1986-06-08/sports/sp-9730_1_peter-graf |archive-date=16 October 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> During that period, she lost six times to Evert and three times to Navratilova, all in straight sets. She did not win a tournament but consistently reached tournament finals, semifinals and quarterfinals, with the highlight being a semifinal defeat to Navratilova at the US Open.

On 13 April 1986, Graf won her first WTA tournament and beat Evert for the first time in the final of the [[Family Circle Cup]] in [[Hilton Head, South Carolina]] (she never lost to Evert again, beating her seven more times over the next three and a half years). Graf then won her next three tournaments at [[Bausch & Lomb Championships|Amelia Island]], Indianapolis, and [[Qatar Telecom German Open|Berlin]], culminating in a 6–2, 6–3 defeat of Navratilova in the final of the latter. Illness caused her to miss Wimbledon,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-06-17-sp-11677-story.html |title=Tennis Roundup : Mysterious Illness Forces Graf to Withdraw From Wimbledon |work=Los Angeles Times |date=17 June 1986 |access-date=18 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016223012/http://articles.latimes.com/1986-06-17/sports/sp-11677_1_steffi-graf |archive-date=16 October 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> and an accident where she broke a toe several weeks later also curtailed her play. She returned to win a small tournament at [[Mahwah, New Jersey|Mahwah]] just before the US Open where, in one of the most anticipated matches of the year, she encountered Navratilova in a semifinal. Navratilova prevailed over Graf in the semifinal 6–1, 6–7<sup>(7–3)</sup>, 7–6<sup>(10–8)</sup>, saving three match points in an epic spread over two days.<ref>[http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1986-09-07/sports/8602230305_1_third-set-tiebreaker-backhand-point Navratilova Pushed To Limit Before Ousting Upstart Graf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801221235/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1986-09-07/sports/8602230305_1_third-set-tiebreaker-backhand-point|date=August 1, 2018}}, ''SunSentinel'' [Florida, U.S.], Jim Sarni, Sept. 7, 1986.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=Ashley |date=2020-04-17 |title=Turning Points: Martina Navratilova saves match points to edge Steffi Graf at 1986 US Open |url=https://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2020-04-17/turning_points_martina_navratilova_saves_match_points_to_edge_steffi_graf_at_1986_us_open.html |access-date=2023-09-08}}</ref> Graf then won three consecutive indoor titles at [[Toray Pan Pacific Open|Tokyo]], [[Zurich Open|Zurich]], and [[Brighton]], before once again contending with Navratilova at the season-ending [[1986 Virginia Slims Championships|Virginia Slims Championships]] in New York. This time, Navratilova beat Graf 7–6, 6–3, 6–2.

===Breakthrough year: 1987===
Graf's Grand Slam tournament breakthrough came in 1987. She started the year strongly, with six tournament victories heading into the French Open, with the highlight being at the tournament in [[Miami Masters|Miami]], where she defeated Martina Navratilova in a semifinal and Chris Evert in the final and lost only 20 games in the seven rounds of the tournament. In the French Open final, Graf defeated Navratilova, who was the world No. 1, 6–4, 4–6, 8–6 after beating Sabatini in a three-set semifinal.

Graf then lost to Navratilova 7–5, 6–3 in the Wimbledon final, her first loss of the year. However, in the [[Fed Cup|Federation Cup]] final in [[Vancouver]], Canada, three weeks later, she defeated Evert easily 6–2, 6–1. The US Open ended anti-climactically as Navratilova defeated Graf in the final 7–6, 6–1.

Graf had a win–loss record of 75–2 for a 97.4 winning percentage in 1987, both losses coming to Navratilova as they split the four matches they played during the year. On 17 August, after defeating Evert in a straight set final in the Virginia Slims of Los Angeles, Graf overtook Navratilova for the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career, a ranking she would hold for the next 186 consecutive weeks, a record (it was tied by Serena Williams in 2016). Graf was the first player other than Navratilova or Evert to hold the top spot since Tracy Austin in 1980.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Lisa Dillman|title=Graf Defeats Evert, Gains No. 1 Ranking|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-17-sp-1036-story.html|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=17 August 1987|access-date=19 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301063406/http://articles.latimes.com/1987-08-17/sports/sp-1036_1_martina-and-chris|archive-date=1 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Grand Slam: 1988===
[[File:Seoul women's tennis results.jpg|thumb|upright=.8|Seoul women's tennis results]]
Graf started 1988 by winning the Australian Open, defeating Chris Evert in the final 6–1, 7–6. Graf did not lose a set during the tournament and lost a total of only 29 games.

Graf lost twice to Sabatini during the spring, once on hardcourts in Boca Raton, Florida, and once on clay at [[Bausch & Lomb Championships|Amelia Island, Florida]]. Graf, however, won the tournament in San Antonio, Texas, and retained her title in Miami, where she once again defeated Evert in the final. Graf then won the tournament in [[Qatar Telecom German Open|Berlin]], losing only twelve games in five matches.

At the [[1988 French Open – Women's singles|French Open]], Graf successfully defended her title by defeating [[Natasha Zvereva]] 6–0, 6–0 in a 34-minute final.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-07-02-8801120571-story.html | title=Graf wastes no time reaching another final | date=2 July 1988 | first=Phil | last=Hersh | work=Chicago Tribune | access-date=25 May 2019 | archive-date=14 May 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514212919/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-07-02-8801120571-story.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rolandgarros.com/fr_FR/about/history/past_tournaments/1988.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325101912/http://www.rolandgarros.com/fr_FR/about/history/past_tournaments/1988.html|archive-date=25 March 2015|title=Roland-Garros – the 2021 Roland-Garros Tournament official site}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1988 : Steffi Graf était pressée.|url=http://www.rolandgarros.com/fr_FR/content/default/1987_1999_steffi_et_le_temps_des_spcialistes.html|website=www.rolandgarros.com|publisher=[[Fédération Française de Tennis]] (FFT)|language=fr|access-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822224621/http://www.rolandgarros.com/fr_FR/content/default/1987_1999_steffi_et_le_temps_des_spcialistes.html|archive-date=22 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxT19Jhgy64|title=French Open 1988 Final – Steffi Graf vs Natallja Zvereva|date=26 November 2014|work=YouTube|access-date=4 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713073704/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxT19Jhgy64|archive-date=13 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The official time of the match given on the scoresheet was 34 minutes; however, just 32 minutes of that was spent on the court, as a rain break split the match into two periods of play, of nine and 23 minutes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/that-1980s-sports-blog/2014/may/27/french-open-1988-steffi-graf-andre-agassi-mats-wilander|title=The 1988 French Open: how Agassi arrived, Graf ruled and Wilander won|first=Steven|last=Pye|work=The Guardian|date=27 May 2014|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-date=14 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514212910/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/that-1980s-sports-blog/2014/may/27/french-open-1988-steffi-graf-andre-agassi-mats-wilander|url-status=live}}</ref> That was the shortest-ever and most one-sided Grand Slam final ever and the only [[double bagel]] in a Major final since 1911.<ref name="French double bagel"/> Zvereva, who had eliminated [[Martina Navratilova]] in the fourth round, won only thirteen points in the match.<ref name="French double bagel">{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE4DD1138F936A35755C0A96E948260&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FPeople%2FG%2FGraf%2C%20Steffi |title=TENNIS; Graf Shuts Out Zvereva to Gain French Open Title |work=The New York Times |date=5 June 1988 |access-date=17 May 2011 |first=Robin |last=Herman |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030230821/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/05/sports/tennis-graf-shuts-out-zvereva-to-gain-french-open-title.html?n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes+Topics%2FPeople%2FG%2FGraf%2C+Steffi |url-status=live }}</ref>

Next came Wimbledon, where Martina Navratilova had won six straight titles. Graf was trailing Martina Navratilova in the final 7–5, 2–0 before winning the match 5–7, 6–2, 6–1.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Peter Alfano|title=Wimbledon; An Era Ends as Graf Beats Navratilova|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/03/sports/wimbledon-an-era-ends-as-graf-beats-navratilova.html|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=3 July 1988|access-date=12 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130092346/http://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/03/sports/wimbledon-an-era-ends-as-graf-beats-navratilova.html|archive-date=30 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> She then won tournaments in [[Hamburg Masters|Hamburg]] and [[United Jersey Bank Classic|Mahwah]] (where she lost only eight games all tournament).

At the US Open, Graf beat Sabatini in a three-set final, 6–3, 3–6, 6–1, to win the [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]], a feat previously performed by only two other women, [[Maureen Connolly Brinker]] in 1953 and [[Margaret Court]] in 1970. Graf's 1988 Grand Slam remains the only one in history completed on three surfaces (grass, clay, hard court), as all other Grand Slams in tennis history were achieved prior to the introduction of hard court at the US Open in 1978.<ref name="Bleacher Report">{{cite news|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1536384-forget-calendar-slam-surface-slam-almost-as-rare|title=Forget Calendar Slam, "Surface Slam" Almost as Rare|work=Bleacher Report|date=20 February 2013|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721160101/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1536384-forget-calendar-slam-surface-slam-almost-as-rare|archive-date=21 July 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In reaching and winning all four Grand Slam finals, Graf became the first player in history to contest and win 28 Grand Slam singles matches in a single year; albeit including the unplayed walkover against Evert in the US Open. Even discounting that result, no other player had played and won 27 Grand Slam matches in a single year before. Since then, five players managed a 27–1 win–loss record, meaning all of them failed to win the Grand Slam: Graf in 1989 and 1993, [[Monica Seles]] in 1992, [[Martina Hingis]] in 1997, [[Roger Federer]] in 2006, and [[Novak Djokovic]] in 2015, 2021 and 2023.

Graf then defeated Sabatini 6–3, 6–3 in the gold medal match at the [[tennis at the 1988 Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]] in [[Seoul]] and achieved what the media had dubbed the "Golden Slam",  the first tennis player to do this.<ref>{{cite web |title=How Steffi Graf became tennis' first Golden Slam winner |url=https://olympics.com/en/news/tennis-golden-slam-steffi-graf-1988-olympics-gold |website=Olympics.com |access-date=14 December 2024}}</ref><ref name="Steffi Graf Interview The Guardian">{{cite news |last=Greenstreet |first=Rosanna |title=Q&A: Steffi Graf |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/22/steffi-graf-interview |url-status=live |work=The Guardian |date=22 June 2013 |access-date=24 June 2013 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112112428/http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/jun/22/steffi-graf-interview |archive-date=12 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-10-01-sp-4214-story.html |title=THE SEOUL GAMES : Women's Tennis : Graf Turns Her Slam Into a Golden One |work=Los Angeles Times |date=1 October 1988 |first=Bill |last=Dwyre |access-date=18 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703022331/http://articles.latimes.com/1988-10-01/sports/sp-4214_1_steffi-graf |archive-date=3 July 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Graf also won her only Grand Slam doubles title that year—at Wimbledon partnering Sabatini—and picked up a women's doubles Olympic bronze medal. Graf was the first tennis player to achieve this.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

At the year-ending [[WTA Tour Championships|Virginia Slims Championships]], Graf was upset by [[Pam Shriver]], only her third loss of the year. The loss deprived her of the Golden Super Slam. She was named the 1988 [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality|BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year]].

At the end of the year, the municipality of Brühl, her hometown, gave her the title of honorary citizen.

===New challengers and personal challenges===
[[File:Steffi Graf backhand.jpg|thumb|upright=.8|Graf backhand]]

====1989====
Speculation was rife at the beginning of 1989 about the possibility of Graf winning another Grand Slam. Some noted observers, such as Margaret Court, suggested that Graf could achieve the feat a couple more times. And the year began as expected, with Graf extending her Grand Slam tournament winning streak to five events at the Australian Open, defeating [[Helena Suková]] in the final. Her 6–3, 6–0 defeat of Gabriela Sabatini in a semifinal was described by veteran observer [[Ted Tinling]] as "probably the best tennis I've seen".<ref>"Australian Tennis", March 1989, p. 28</ref> He went on to add, "I saw what Steffi did to Sabatini at the Australian Open this year, and that was it. She is better than them all."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068538/7/index.htm | work=CNN | title=Serving Her Country | date=26 June 1989 | access-date=28 June 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604112009/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1068538/7/index.htm | archive-date=4 June 2014 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Graf followed this with easy victories in her next four tournaments at Washington, D.C., San Antonio, Texas, Boca Raton, Florida, and [[Family Circle Cup|Hilton Head]]. The Washington, D.C. tournament was notable because Graf won the first twenty points of the final against [[Zina Garrison]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE5DF1131F933A15751C0A96F948260 |title=Graf Trounces Garrison |work=The New York Times |date=20 February 1989 |access-date=17 May 2011 |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030230845/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/20/sports/graf-trounces-garrison.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the Boca Raton final, Graf lost the only set she conceded to Chris Evert in their final seven matches.<ref>[http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=50020&x=3&y=6&Player1ID=70044 Head to Head] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226060744/http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/players/playerprofiles/playerheadtoheaddetail.asp?PlayerID=50020&x=3&y=6&Player1ID=70044 |date=26 December 2008 }}</ref>

In the subsequent [[Bausch & Lomb Championships|Amelia Island]] final on clay, Graf lost her first match of the year to Sabatini but returned to European clay with easy victories at [[Hamburg Masters|Hamburg]] and [[Qatar Telecom German Open|Berlin]].

Graf's Grand Slam tournament winning streak ended at the French Open, where 17-year-old Spaniard [[Arantxa Sánchez Vicario]] beat Graf in three sets. Graf served for the match at 5–3 in the third set but lost the game and won only three more points in the match. Suffering from food poisoning, she had struggled to beat [[Monica Seles]] in their semifinal 6–3, 3–6, 6–3 and said that she had menstrual cramps in the final.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilson |first=Stephen R. |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/50806/SURPRISE-SANCHEZ-BEATS-GRAF.html |title=SURPRISE! SANCHEZ BEATS GRAF 17-YEAR-OLD WINS TITLE |work=[[Deseret News]] |date=11 June 1989 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314154328/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/50806/SURPRISE-SANCHEZ-BEATS-GRAF.html |archive-date=14 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Nick Stout |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/11/sports/tennis-sanchez-surprises-graf-to-win-the-french-open.html |title=TENNIS – Sanchez Surprises Graf to Win the French Open |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=11 June 1989 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219175428/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/11/sports/tennis-sanchez-surprises-graf-to-win-the-french-open.html |archive-date=19 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Graf, however, recovered to defeat Martina Navratilova 6–2, 6–7, 6–1 in the Wimbledon final after defeating Monica Seles 6–0, 6–1 in a fourth round match, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in a quarterfinal, and Chris Evert in a semifinal.

Graf warmed up for the US Open with easy tournament victories in [[Acura Classic|San Diego]] and [[United Jersey Bank Classic|Mahwah]]. In her semifinal match at the US Open, Graf defeated Sabatini 3–6, 6–4, 6–2. The match was notable for its dramatic ending. Having suffered from leg cramps since the middle of the third set, Graf ran off the court seconds after match point to seek medical treatment.<ref>{{cite news |last=Finn |first=Robin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/09/sports/graf-and-navratilova-march-to-a-showdown.html |title=Graf and Navratilova March to a Showdown |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=9 September 1989 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220150129/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/09/sports/graf-and-navratilova-march-to-a-showdown.html |archive-date=20 December 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the final, Navratilova led 6–3, 4–2 before Graf rallied to win 3–6, 7–5, 6–1 for her third Grand Slam singles title of the year.

Victories at Zurich and [[Brighton International|Brighton]] preceded the [[1989 Virginia Slims Championships|Virginia Slims Championships]], where Graf cemented her top-ranked status by beating Navratilova in the four-set final. Graf ended 1989 with an 86–2 match record and the loss of only 12 sets. Her 0.977 winning percentage is the second-highest in the open era behind Navratilova.<ref name="wta_spotlight">{{cite web|title=No.1 spotlight: Steffi Graf|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/40love/article/3150587/title/no1-spotlight-steffi-graf|publisher=[[Women's Tennis Association]] (WTA)|date=20 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122014432/http://www.wtatennis.com/40love/article/3150587/title/no1-spotlight-steffi-graf|archive-date=22 January 2016}}</ref>

====1990====
Graf defeated [[Mary Joe Fernández]] in the final of the Australian Open, which was her eighth Grand Slam singles title in the last nine she contested. She survived an intense three-set battle with Helena Sukova in the semis, breaking in the tenth and final game to win the third set 6–4. Her winning streak (unbeaten since the 1989 French Open loss to Arantxa Sánchez) continued with victories in [[Toray Pan Pacific Open|Tokyo]], [[Bausch & Lomb Championships|Amelia Island]], and [[Hamburg Masters|Hamburg]]. Shortly after winning in Tokyo, Graf injured her right thumb while cross-country skiing in Switzerland and subsequently withdrew from the [[Virginia Slims of Florida]] and the [[1990 Lipton Championships|Lipton Championships]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Finn |first=Robin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/09/sports/graf-is-injured-skiing.html |title=Graf Is Injured Skiing |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=9 February 1990 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116010009/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/09/sports/graf-is-injured-skiing.html |archive-date=16 January 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> In [[WTA German Open|Berlin]], she extended her unbeaten streak to 66 matches (second in [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] history to Navratilova's 74) before losing the final to Monica Seles, 4–6, 3–6.

While the Berlin tournament was being played, the largest-circulation German tabloid, ''[[Bild]]'', ran a story about an alleged scandal involving Graf's father. The difficulty of answering questions about the matter came to a head at a Wimbledon press conference, where Graf broke down in tears. Wimbledon authorities then threatened to immediately shut down any subsequent press conferences where questions about the issue were asked. Whether this scandal affected Graf's form is open to debate. In an interview with ''Stern'' magazine in July 1990, Graf stated, "I could not fight as usual."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE7DE163BF930A25754C0A966958260 |title=Tennis; Graf's Toughest Foe: the Press |work=The New York Times |date=13 July 1990 |access-date=17 May 2011 |first=Ferdinand |last=Protzman |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030230830/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/13/sports/tennis-graf-s-toughest-foe-the-press.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Graf again lost to Monica Seles in the final of the French Open 6–7, 4–6. Seles was behind 2–6 in the first-set tiebreaker, but then came back to win six points in a row and take the set. At Wimbledon, Graf lost in the semifinals to [[Zina Garrison]], who with this victory broke Graf's string of 13 consecutive major finals. This was a major upset as Garrison had to save a match point to defeat Monica Seles in the quarterfinal, and was expected to easily fall to Graf, whom she had not beaten in four years. After victories in [[Canada Masters|Montreal]] and [[Acura Classic|San Diego]], Graf reached the US Open final, where she lost in straight sets to Sabatini. Graf won four indoor tournaments after the US Open, including a pair of straight-set wins over Sabatini in the finals of [[Zurich Open|Zürich]] and [[Virginia Slims of New England|Worcester]]. Although Sabatini got the best of Graf in the semifinals of the season-ending Virginia Slims Championships, Graf still finished the year as the top-ranked player.

====1991====
A mixture of injury problems, personal difficulties, and loss of form made 1991 a tough year for Graf. Seles established herself as the new dominant player on the women's tour, winning the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open and, in March, ending Graf's record 186 consecutive-weeks hold on the World No. 1 ranking.<ref name="wta_spotlight"/> Graf briefly regained the top ranking after winning at Wimbledon but lost it again after her loss to Navratilova at the US Open.

Graf lost an [[1991 Australian Open|Australian Open]] quarterfinal to [[Jana Novotná]], the first time she did not reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam singles tournament since the 1986 French Open. She then lost to Sabatini in her next three tournaments before winning the U.S. Hardcourt Championships in [[San Antonio]], beating Monica Seles in the final. After losing a fifth straight time to Sabatini in [[Bausch & Lomb Championships|Amelia Island, Florida]], Graf again defeated Seles in the [[Hamburg Masters|Hamburg]] final. Following her tournament victory in [[WTA German Open|German Open]] in Berlin, Graf suffered one of the worst defeats of her career in a [[1991 French Open|French Open]] semifinal where she won only two games against Sánchez Vicario and lost her first 6–0 set since 1984. At [[1991 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], however, Graf captured her third women's crown, this time at Sabatini's expense. Sabatini served for the match twice, and was two points away from her first Wimbledon title. After breaking Sabatini's serve to even the third set at 6–6, Graf defeated Sabatini by winning the next two games to take the match 6–4, 3–6, 8–6. Martina Navratilova then defeated Graf 7–6, 6–7, 6–4 in a [[1991 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] semifinal, the first time she had beaten Graf in four years. Graf then won in Leipzig, with her 500th career victory coming in a quarterfinal against [[Judith Wiesner]]. After winning two more indoor tournaments at Zurich and [[Brighton International|Brighton]], she failed once again in the Virginia Slims Championships, losing her quarterfinal to Novotná. Soon after, she split with her long-time coach, Pavel Složil.

====1992====
A bout of [[rubella]] forced Graf to miss the first major event of 1992, the [[1992 Australian Open|Australian Open]]. Her year continued indifferently with losses in three of her first four tournaments, including a semifinal loss to [[Jana Novotná]] in [[Virginia Slims of Chicago|Chicago]]. It was Graf's second consecutive loss to Novotna, and dating back to their 1991 Australian Open quarterfinal match, Jana had won three of their last five meetings. It would also be the last loss Graf would ever have to Novotna in a match she completed (she did have a loss after withdrawing with injury after the first set of a late 1996 match). Chicago was notable, however, for being the first tournament Graf played with her new coach, former Swiss player [[Heinz Günthardt]]. Graf's father had approached Günthardt during the 1991 Virginia Slims Championships.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ziehm|first1=Len|title=Steffi lives it up – New Graf steps out in style|agency=Chicago Sun Times|date=16 February 1992}}</ref> She would work with him for the remainder of her career.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/16/sports/tennis-finally-graf-gets-to-start-her-year.htm]{{dead link|date=July 2017}}</ref> In [[Virginia Slims of Florida|Boca Raton, Florida]], Graf reached her first final of the year, where she faced [[Conchita Martínez]] for the title. In their five previous head-to-head matches, Graf had defeated Martínez each time. Even though she lost the opening set, Graf went on to prevail in three sets. She lost twice to Sabatini in the early spring at the Lipton International and the Bausch & Lomb Championships, which now brought her to seven losses in her last eight matches against Sabatini; however, the Bausch & Lomb loss would be Graf's final loss to Sabatini, winning her next, and last eight matches against Sabatini.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/headtohead/steffi-graf_2255881_2718/0,,12781~2718~7184,00.html |title=WTA &#124; Players &#124; Head to Head &#124; Steffi Graf |work=WTA Tennis |publisher=Wtatennis.com |access-date=1 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017092649/http://www.wtatennis.com/headtohead/steffi-graf_2255881_2718/0,,12781~2718~7184,00.html |archive-date=17 October 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Victories at [[Hamburg Masters|Hamburg]] and [[WTA German Open|Berlin]] (beating Sánchez Vicario in the finals of both) prepared her for the French Open, where she defeated Sánchez Vicario in the semifinals after losing the first set 6–0. Graf then lost a closely contested final to Monica Seles, 2–6, 6–3, 8–10. Seles won the match on her fifth match point; Graf came within two points of winning the match a few games earlier. At Wimbledon, after struggling through early-round three-setters against [[Mariaan de Swardt]] and [[Patty Fendick]], she easily defeated Natasha Zvereva in the quarterfinal, Sabatini in the semifinal, and Seles in the final, 6–2, 6–1, with Seles playing in almost complete silence because of widespread media and player criticism of her [[grunting (tennis)|grunting]]. Graf then won all five of her [[Fed Cup]] matches, helping Germany defeat Spain in the final by defeating Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, 6–4, 6–2. At the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Graf lost to [[Jennifer Capriati]] in the final and claimed the silver medal. At the US Open, Graf was upset in the quarterfinals by Sánchez Vicario 7–6, 6–3. Four consecutive indoor tournament victories in the autumn helped improve her season, but for the third consecutive year, she failed to win the Virginia Slims Championships, where she lost in the first round to [[Lori McNeil]].

===Second period of dominance===
====1993====
Graf began 1993 with four losses in her first six tournaments of the year: two to Sánchez Vicario and one each to Seles and the 36-year-old Martina Navratilova. Seles defeated Graf at the Australian Open 4–6, 6–3, 6–2. She struggled at the [[Qatar Telecom German Open|German Open]] in Berlin where she lost a 6–0 set to the unheralded [[Sabine Hack]] before defeating [[Mary Joe Fernández]] and Sabatini in three-set matches to claim her seventh title there in eight years.

During a quarterfinal match between Seles and [[Magdalena Maleeva]] in Hamburg, Seles was stabbed between the shoulder blades by a mentally ill German fan of Graf, Günter Parche. He claimed that he committed the attack to help Graf reclaim the world No. 1 ranking. More than two years elapsed before Seles competed again. Shortly after the stabbing, during a players meeting at the [[1993 Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]] in Rome, 17 of the world's top 25 WTA members voted against preserving Seles' world No. 1 ranking while she was sidelined. Since Graf skipped the Italian Open, she did not take part in the vote.<ref>{{cite news |last=Finn |first=Robin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/30/sports/tennis-seles-struggles-with-injury-and-wta-decision.html |title=TENNIS – Seles Struggles With Injury and W.T.A. Decision |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=30 May 1993 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116004531/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/30/sports/tennis-seles-struggles-with-injury-and-wta-decision.html |archive-date=16 January 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Finn |first=Robin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/27/sports/tennis-for-seles-the-wound-still-hurts.html?pagewanted=all |title=TENNIS – For Seles, the Wound Still Hurts |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=27 August 1993 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116081043/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/08/27/sports/tennis-for-seles-the-wound-still-hurts.html?pagewanted=all |archive-date=16 January 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

During Seles's absence, Graf won 65 of 67 matches,<ref>{{cite news|title=Troubled WTA Tour limps through '94 season|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/html/cd/1994/199403/19940305/19940305007_2.html|work=[[China Daily]]|date=5 March 1994|access-date=1 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202012137/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/html/cd/1994/199403/19940305/19940305007_2.html|archive-date=2 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> three of four Grand Slam events and the year-end Virginia Slims championships. She won her first French Open title since 1988 with a three-set victory over Mary Joe Fernández in the final. Fernandez had two break points to take a 3–0 and double break lead in the third set. The win elevated Graf to the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in 22 months. At Wimbledon, Graf defeated Jana Novotná to win her third consecutive, and fifth overall, ladies' title. In the third and deciding set, Novotná had a point to go up 5–1 on her serve. After breaking Novotná's serve, Graf won the next four games to take the match 7–6, 1–6, 6–4. Graf had a bone splinter in her right foot during this tournament (and for the next few months), finally resulting in surgery on 4 October.<ref>{{cite news |author=John Roberts |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis-graf-footloose-and-pain-free-germanys-world-no-1-in-intimidating-form-at-the-australian-open-1408464.html |title=Tennis: Graf footloose and pain-free: Germany's world No 1 in intimidating form at the Australian Open |work=[[The Independent]] |date=22 January 1994 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116081051/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis-graf-footloose-and-pain-free-germanys-world-no-1-in-intimidating-form-at-the-australian-open-1408464.html |archive-date=16 January 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

In the meantime, she lost surprisingly to [[Nicole Bradtke]] of Australia in a [[Fed Cup]] match on clay before winning the [[Acura Classic]] in San Diego and the [[Rogers Cup|Canadian Open]] in Toronto in preparation for the US Open. She won there, comfortably beating Helena Suková in the final after needing three sets to eliminate Gabriela Sabatini and [[Manuela Maleeva-Fragniere]] in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively. In the fall, Graf won the [[1993 Volkswagen Card Cup|Volkswagen Card Cup]] in Leipzig a day before her foot operation, losing only two games to Jana Novotná in the final. Graf lost to Conchita Martínez in her comeback tournament a month later in [[Advanta Championships Philadelphia|Philadelphia]]. However, she finished her year with a highlight, winning her first Virginia Slims Championships since 1989 by beating Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the final despite needing painkillers for a back injury.

====1994====
Seemingly free of injury for the first time in years, Graf began the year by winning the [[1994 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where she defeated Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the final with the loss of only two games. Graf later stated it was the best tennis she had ever played in a Grand Slam final.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlI8Q0rdRUU&t=74s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/nlI8Q0rdRUU| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Steffi Graf Interview – 1994 Australian Open|date=16 June 2016|work=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> She then won her next four tournaments in [[1994 Toray Pan Pacific Open|Tokyo]], [[1994 Newsweek Champions Cup and the Evert Cup|Indian Wells]], [[1994 Virginia Slims of Florida|Delray Beach]] and [[1994 Lipton Championships|Miami]] respectively. In the Miami final, she lost her first set of the year—to Natasha Zvereva—after winning 54 consecutive sets.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Charles Bricker|title=Wilander Having His Day In Court|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1995-03-22/sports/9503220016_1_atp-tour-second-seeded-steffi-graf-defeat-unseeded|publisher=[[SunSentinel]]|date=22 March 1995|access-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806214529/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1995-03-22/sports/9503220016_1_atp-tour-second-seeded-steffi-graf-defeat-unseeded|archive-date=6 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the Hamburg final, she lost for the first time in 1994 after 36 consecutive match victories, losing to Sánchez Vicario in three sets. She then won her eighth [[Qatar Telecom German Open|German Open]], but there were signs that her form was worsening as she almost lost to [[Julie Halard]] in a quarterfinal. As the defending champion Graf lost in straight sets to [[Mary Pierce]] in the [[1994 French Open|French Open]] semifinal.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Robin Finn|title=Pierce Applies The Pressure To Upset Graf|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/03/sports/tennis-pierce-applies-the-pressure-to-upset-graf.html|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=3 June 1994|access-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224190852/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/03/sports/tennis-pierce-applies-the-pressure-to-upset-graf.html|archive-date=24 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Ed McGrogan|title=This Date in French Open History: June 2|url=http://www.tennis.com/players/2012/06/this-date-in-french-open-history-june-2/36361/|publisher=Tennis.com|date=2 June 2012|access-date=5 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808101655/http://www.tennis.com/players/2012/06/this-date-in-french-open-history-june-2/36361/|archive-date=8 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> This was followed by a first-round straight-sets loss at [[1994 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] to [[Lori McNeil]], her only loss at Wimbledon between 1991 and 1997 and her first loss in a first round Grand Slam tournament in ten years.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Robin Finn|title=McNeil Ousts Graf in an Upset for the Ages|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/22/sports/tennis-mcneil-ousts-graf-in-an-upset-for-the-ages.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=22 June 1994|access-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816150950/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/22/sports/tennis-mcneil-ousts-graf-in-an-upset-for-the-ages.html|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Graf still managed to win [[Acura Classic|San Diego]] the following month but aggravated a long-time back injury in beating Sánchez Vicario in the final. Graf developed a bone spur at the base of her spine due to a congenital condition of the [[sacroiliac joint]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Goldstein|first1=Jody|title=Houston Women's Tennis Championships Preview: Houston is first clay test for Graf's back|agency= The Houston Chronicle|date=9 April 1995}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Christopher|first1=Clarey|title=Graf Set for Her Comeback, Pained Mainly by Questions|work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/14/sports/14iht-graf.html|access-date=16 March 2017|agency=The New York Times|date=14 February 1995|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316113923/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/14/sports/14iht-graf.html|archive-date=16 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> She began to wear a back brace and was unsure about playing the [[1994 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] but elected to play while receiving treatment and stretching for two hours before each match. She made it to the final and took the first set against Sánchez Vicario but lost the next two sets — Sanchez Vicario's last victory over Graf. In the middle of the second set, Graf suffered back spasms while reaching for a ball in the ad court.<ref>{{cite news |last=Araton |first=Harvey |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/11/sports/usopen-94-sanchez-smiles-as-graf-winces.html |title=U.S.OPEN '94 – Sanchez Smiles As Graf Winces |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=11 September 1994 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816105502/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/11/sports/usopen-94-sanchez-smiles-as-graf-winces.html |archive-date=16 August 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref> She took the following nine weeks off, returning only for the Virginia Slims Championships where she lost in straight sets to Pierce in the quarterfinal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pierce tops Graf; Navratilova loses last|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L7ksAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DRUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6797%2C1093300|work=Star-News|agency=AP|date=18 November 1994|page=3C|access-date=3 June 2016|archive-date=30 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030231314/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L7ksAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DRUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6797%2C1093300|url-status=live}}</ref> Although Graf ended the year ranked No. 1 on the computer the ITF named Sanchez Vicario its World Champion for the year, while the WTA backed their official rankings and named Graf.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.itftennis.com/about/world-champions/women.aspx |title=ITF Tennis – ABOUT |access-date=30 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530150949/http://www.itftennis.com/about/world-champions/women.aspx |archive-date=30 May 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tennisfame.com/hall-of-famers/inductees/stefanie-graf/ |title=International Tennis Hall of Fame |access-date=30 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822012418/https://www.tennisfame.com/hall-of-famers/inductees/stefanie-graf/ |archive-date=22 August 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

====1995====
A strained right calf muscle forced Graf to withdraw from the [[1995 Australian Open|Australian Open]].<ref>{{cite news|author1=John Roberts|title=Calf injury forces Graf out of Australian Open|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/calf-injury-forces-graf-out-of-australian-open-1566944.html|work=[[The Independent]]|date=7 January 1995|access-date=15 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816153546/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/calf-injury-forces-graf-out-of-australian-open-1566944.html|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> She came back in February, winning four consecutive tournaments in [[1995 Open Gaz de France – Singles|Paris]], [[1994 Virginia Slims of Florida – Singles|Delray Beach]], [[1995 Lipton Championships – Women's singles|Miami]] and [[1994 Virginia Slims of Houston – Singles|Houston]]. She then beat Sánchez Vicario in the finals of both the [[1995 French Open|French Open]] and [[1995 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]]. The 1995 Wimbledon final is regarded as one of the most dramatic women's major finals in history as Graf and Sánchez Vicario battled in a tight third set that included a 16-minute long, 13-deuce game on Sanchez Vicario's serve at 5–5.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Robin Finn|title=In a Classic, Graf Captures Wimbledon On Sheer Will|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/09/sports/tennis-in-a-classic-graf-captures-wimbledon-on-sheer-will.html|work=The New York Times|date=9 July 1995|access-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816194519/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/09/sports/tennis-in-a-classic-graf-captures-wimbledon-on-sheer-will.html|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In August Monica Seles made her much anticipated return to tennis at the Canadian Open. It was decided to grant her a joint number-one ranking with Graf who took her first loss of the year in the first round to Amanda Coetzer. The [[1995 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] was Monica Seles's first Grand Slam event since the 1993 attack, with much anticipation again around a potential Seles-Graf final. After surviving a scare in a three-setter against Amanda Coetzer in the first round, Graf reached the final with relative ease, while Seles went through her side of the draw in even more convincing fashion. Seles and Graf met in the final, with Graf winning in three sets, saving a set point in the first set. Graf then capped the year by beating countrywoman [[Anke Huber]] in a five-set final at the season-ending [[1995 WTA Tour Championships|WTA Championships]] in 2 hours and 46 minutes.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Robin Finn|title=Graf's Year Is Difficult One Till the End, but Successful|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/20/sports/tennis-graf-s-year-is-difficult-one-till-the-end-but-successful.html|work=The New York Times|date=20 November 1995|access-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816151915/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/20/sports/tennis-graf-s-year-is-difficult-one-till-the-end-but-successful.html|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=wta40>{{cite web|title=40 Love History: Five Set Finals|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3501154/title/40-love-history-five-set-finals|publisher=[[Women's Tennis Association]] (WTA)|date=18 October 2013|access-date=3 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809121158/http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3501154/title/40-love-history-five-set-finals|archive-date=9 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=====Tax issues=====
In personal terms, 1995 was a difficult year for Graf, as she was accused by German authorities of [[tax evasion]] in the early years of her career.<ref>{{cite news|title=Steffi Graf Investigated for Tax Evasion|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-07-13-sp-23308-story.html|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=13 July 1995|access-date=5 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805191541/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-07-13/sports/sp-23308_1_steffi-graf|archive-date=5 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In her defense, she stated that her father Peter was her financial manager, and all financial matters relating to her earnings at the time had been under his control. Her father was arrested in August and was sentenced to 45 months in jail.<ref name="nyt96">{{cite web|author1=Robin Finn|title=Tennis;Graf finds real world full of ups and downs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/24/sports/tennis-graf-finds-real-world-full-of-ups-and-downs.html|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=9 December 2017|date=24 March 1995|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210074054/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/24/sports/tennis-graf-finds-real-world-full-of-ups-and-downs.html|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/25/sports/peter-graf-is-sentenced-to-prison-in-tax-case.html |title=Peter Graf Is Sentenced To Prison in Tax Case |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=25 January 1997 |first=Alan |last=Cowell |access-date=18 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527065715/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/25/sports/peter-graf-is-sentenced-to-prison-in-tax-case.html |archive-date=27 May 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> He was eventually released after serving 25 months. Prosecutors dropped their case against Graf in 1997, when she agreed to pay a fine of 1.3&nbsp;million [[Deutsche Mark]]s to the government and an unspecified charity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-25-sp-21887-story.html|title=Graf's Father Sentenced to Jail|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=25 January 1997|access-date=16 April 2020|archive-date=23 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423104656/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-01-25/sports/sp-21887_1_steffi-graf|url-status=live}}</ref>

====1996====
Graf again missed the [[1996 Australian Open|Australian Open]] after undergoing surgery in December 1995 to remove bone splinters from her left foot.<ref>{{cite news|title=Foot Surgery Sidelines Graf|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/12/16/foot-surgery-sidelines-graf/|work=Chicago Tribune|date=16 December 1995|access-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803123505/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1995-12-16/sports/9512160035_1_grand-slam-events-miss-monica-seles|archive-date=3 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Graf came back to the tour in March, winning back to back titles in [[1999 Evert Cup – Singles|Indian Wells]] and [[1996 Lipton Championships – Women's singles|Miami]], followed by a record ninth title at the [[1996 German Open (tennis)|German Open]] in May and a quarterfinal defeat in [[1996 Italian Open – Women's singles|Rome]] against Martina Hingis. She then successfully defended the three Grand Slam titles she won the year before. In a close [[1996 French Open|French Open]] final, Graf again overcame Sánchez Vicario, taking the third set 10–8.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Robin Finn|title=Graf Wins Wrenching French Epic|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/09/sports/tennis-graf-wins-wrenching-french-epic.html?pagewanted=all|work=The New York Times|date=9 June 1996|access-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816152621/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/09/sports/tennis-graf-wins-wrenching-french-epic.html?pagewanted=all|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Graf had led 4–1 in the second set tiebreak, only to lose six points in a row and force a decider. Twice in the third set Sánchez Vicario served for the championship but was broken each time by Graf. It was the longest French Open women's singles final in history, both in terms of time (3 hours and 3 minutes) and number of games played (40).<ref name=collins>{{cite book|last=Collins|first=Bud|author-link=Bud Collins|title=The Bud Collins History of Tennis|year=2010|publisher=New Chapter Press|location=[New York]|isbn=978-0942257700|page=408|edition=2nd}}</ref> Graf then had a straight-sets win against Sánchez Vicario in the [[1996 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] final. That was the last competitive match Graf and Sánchez Vicario would ever play against one another. In July, a left knee injury forced Graf to withdraw from the [[tennis at the 1996 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]] in [[Atlanta]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C00E1DE1F39F934A25754C0A960958260 |title=OLYMPICS;Injuries Force Sampras and Graf to Skip Games |work=The New York Times |date=17 July 1996 |access-date=17 May 2011 |first=Robin |last=Finn |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030231315/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/17/sports/olympics-injuries-force-sampras-and-graf-to-skip-games.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Graf played only one warm-up event ahead of the US Open, the [[1996 Acura Classic – Singles|Acura Classic]] in [[Manhattan Beach, California]], where she lost to Lindsay Davenport in the semifinals. She then successfully defended her title at the [[1996 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], defeating Monica Seles in the final. Her toughest battle came against rising star Martina Hingis in the semifinal, with Hingis unable to convert on five set points. Graf did not lose a set the whole tournament. She also won her fifth and final [[WTA Tour Championships]] title with a five set win over Martina Hingis, with Hingis cramping up in the fifth set.<ref name=wta40/>
In 1988, Graf became only the second tennis player in history to win a Slam on hardcourt, clay, and grass all in the same season. She repeated the feat in 1993, 1995, and 1996.

===Final years on the tour: 1997–99===
[[File:Steffi Graf 2005.jpg|thumb|upright=.8|Graf in 2005]]
The last few years of Graf's career were beset by injuries, particularly to her knees and back. She lost the world No. 1 ranking to Martina Hingis and failed to win a Grand Slam title for the first time in ten years in 1997. That year Graf lost in the fourth round of the Australian Open in straight sets to [[Amanda Coetzer]].<ref name="amandacoetzer.tripod.com">{{cite web |url=http://amandacoetzer.tripod.com/sked97.htm |title=Untitled Normal Page |publisher=Amandacoetzer.tripod.com |date=18 August 1997 |access-date=17 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040627103445/http://amandacoetzer.tripod.com/sked97.htm |archive-date=27 June 2004 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
She subsequently withdrew from the [[1997 Toray Pan Pacific Open|Pan Pacific Open]] and had [[arthroscopic surgery]] performed on her left knee. After several months injury lay off, Graf returned to play in the German Open in Berlin in front of a home crowd and had the worst defeat of her career in the quarterfinal, when Amanda Coetzer beat her in just 56 minutes 6–0, 6–1.<ref name="amandacoetzer.tripod.com"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.quotesquotations.com/biography/amanda-coetzer-biography/ |title=Amanda Coetzer Biography |date=6 December 2009 |publisher=Quotesquotations.com |access-date=17 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520030819/http://www.quotesquotations.com/biography/amanda-coetzer-biography/ |archive-date=20 May 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In the French Open Graf was again beaten by Amanda Coetzer in straight sets, 6–1, 6–4.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sporting-heroes.net/tennis-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=1940 |title=Amanda Coetzer - Tennis Player from South Africa - Tennis-Heroes.net |publisher=Sporting-heroes.net |access-date=17 May 2011 |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030231322/http://www.sporting-heroes.net/tennis/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Only one week later, she underwent reconstructive knee surgery in [[Vienna]] and subsequently missed the 1997 Wimbledon and US Open championships. The treatment was for a fracture of the cartilage as well as a shortening and partial rupture of the patellar tendon of her left knee.<ref name="Icons of Women's Sport">{{cite book |last=Overman |first=Steven |title=Icons of Women's Sport| volume=1 |year=2012 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |location=Santa Barbara |isbn= 978-0313385490 |page=181}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Surgery on Graf's Knee Requires a Long Layoff|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/11/sports/surgery-on-graf-s-knee-requires-a-long-layoff.html|work=The New York Times|date=11 June 1997|access-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816153109/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/11/sports/surgery-on-graf-s-knee-requires-a-long-layoff.html|archive-date=16 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
After missing almost half of the tour in 1998, Graf lost in the third round at [[1998 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] and in the fourth round at the [[1998 US Open (tennis)|US Open]]. Shortly after the US Open, she underwent surgery to remove a bone spur in her right wrist.<ref>{{cite news |author=Ronald Atkin |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/wimbledon-99-the-steffi-graf-interview-time-for-a-golden-goodbye-1101143.html |title=Wimbledon '99: The Steffi Graf Interview: Time for a golden goodbye? |work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115184656/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/wimbledon-99-the-steffi-graf-interview-time-for-a-golden-goodbye-1101143.html |archive-date=15 January 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Upon her return Graf defeated world No. 2 Hingis and world No. 1 [[Lindsay Davenport]] en route to the [[Advanta Championships Philadelphia|Philadelphia]] title. At the first round of the season-ending [[1998 Chase Championships|Chase Championships]], Graf defeated world No. 3, Jana Novotná, before losing in the semifinal to first-seeded Davenport.

At the beginning of 1999 Graf played the warm up event to the [[1999 Australian Open|Australian Open]] in Sydney; she defeated Serena Williams in the second round and Venus in the quarterfinals before losing to Lindsay Davenport in the semifinal. Graf then went on to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open before losing to Monica Seles in two sets. In Indian Wells Graf lost to Serena Williams in three sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/headtohead/steffi-graf_2255881_2718/0,,12781~2718~9044,00.html|title=Head to Head|work=WTA Tennis |access-date=24 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024114643/http://www.wtatennis.com/headtohead/steffi-graf_2255881_2718/0,,12781~2718~9044,00.html|archive-date=24 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the [[1999 French Open|French Open]], Graf reached her first Grand Slam final in three years and fought back from a set and twice from a break down in the second set to defeat the top ranked Hingis in three sets for a memorable victory. Graf became the first player in the [[Tennis open era|open era]] to defeat the first, second, and third ranked players in the same Grand Slam tournament by beating second-ranked Davenport in the quarterfinals and third-ranked Seles in the semifinals. Graf said after the final that it would be her last French Open, fueling speculation about her retirement.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/1999/french_open/news/1999/06/05/hingis_graf |title=Graf edges Hingis, captures sixth and 'last' French title |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=16 August 1999 |access-date=17 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122162850/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/1999/french_open/news/1999/06/05/hingis_graf/ |archive-date=22 January 2012 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

Graf then reached her ninth [[1999 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] singles final, losing to third-seeded Davenport in straight sets. She had to overcome three difficult three set matches en route to this final, against [[Mariaan De Swardt]] in the second round, Venus Williams in the quarterfinals and [[Mirjana Lučić-Baroni|Mirjana Lučić]] in the semifinals.

On 13 August 1999, shortly after retiring with a strained hamstring from a second round match against [[Amy Frazier]] in [[1999 TIG Classic|San Diego]], Graf announced her retirement from the women's tour at age 30.<ref>{{cite news|author1=John Roberts|title=Highs and lows of Graf the great|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/highs-and-lows-of-graf-the-great-741802.html|work=[[The Independent]]|date=14 August 1999|access-date=15 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115184710/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/highs-and-lows-of-graf-the-great-741802.html|archive-date=15 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Graf bows out|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/tennis/419376.stm|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=13 August 1999|access-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808102928/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/tennis/419376.stm|archive-date=8 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> She was ranked No. 3 at that time and said, "I have done everything I wanted to do in tennis. I feel I have nothing left to accomplish. The weeks following Wimbledon [in 1999] weren't easy for me. I was not having fun anymore. After Wimbledon, for the first time in my career, I didn't feel like going to a tournament. My motivation wasn't what it was in the past."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canoe.ca/SlamTennisGrafRetires/aug13_retires.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721145731/http://www.canoe.ca/SlamTennisGrafRetires/aug13_retires.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=21 July 2012 |title=Steffi Graf announces retirement |publisher=Canoe.ca |access-date=17 May 2011 }}</ref>

===Doubles career===
From the beginning of her career until 1990, Graf regularly played doubles matches in Grand Slams and other tournaments, winning a total of 11 doubles titles. In 1986, she formed a partnership with rival [[Gabriela Sabatini]]. The pair was moderately successful, winning the [[1988 Wimbledon Championships – Women's doubles|1988 Wimbledon Championships]] together and reaching the finals of the French Open in 1986, 1987 and 1989. The partnership was the subject of much discussion, as the two women, both known to be shy, usually kept communication to a minimum during changeovers and between points, a highly unusual situation in doubles.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fowler|first1=Ed|title=Sabatini, Graf: Oddest couple playing doubles|work=Houston Chronicle|date=26 June 1988}}</ref> Sabatini said of the partnership: "doubles is all about communicating with each other, and we didn't communicate that much. We would just say the basic things, but nothing else."<ref name="youtube1">{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN1YVgOjyvY|title=Steffi Graf – Tennis Documentary|date=13 February 2014|work=YouTube|access-date=27 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407212639/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FN1YVgOjyvY|archive-date=7 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The pair played their last major tournament together at the [[1990 Wimbledon Championships – Women's doubles|1990 Wimbledon Championships]], losing in the quarterfinals. From 1991 until the end of her career, Graf would only play doubles sporadically, forming short-term partnerships with a variety of players, including [[Lori McNeil]], [[Anke Huber]] and her best friends on the tour, [[Rennae Stubbs]], [[Patricia Tarabini]] and [[Ines Gorrochategui]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1994/05/23/131141/do-not-disturb-if-steffi-graf-could-shut-out-the-world-the-way-she-shuts-down-opponents-on-the-court-then-for-her-life-would-be-perfect |title=Do Not Disturb: If Steffi Graf could shut out the world the way she shuts down opponents on the court then, for her, life would be perfect |newspaper=Sports Illustrated Vault &#124; Si.com |access-date=27 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328020511/http://www.si.com/vault/1994/05/23/131141/do-not-disturb-if-steffi-graf-could-shut-out-the-world-the-way-she-shuts-down-opponents-on-the-court-then-for-her-life-would-be-perfect |archive-date=28 March 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/tennis/354563.stm |title=Tennis &#124; Martinez wins controversial clash |work=BBC News |date=27 May 1999 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328022957/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/tennis/354563.stm |archive-date=28 March 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref> She played her last Grand Slam doubles tournament at the [[1999 Australian Open – Women's doubles|1999 Australian Open]] with Gorrochategui, losing in the second round.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/event_guide/history/players/9336.html |title=Results Archive – Steffi Graf – Australian Open Tennis Championships |website=ausopen.com |publisher=Tennis Australia |access-date=27 March 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327171000/https://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/event_guide/history/players/9336.html |archive-date=27 March 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itftennis.com/procircuit/players/player/profile.aspx?playerid=20003282 |format=PDF |title=Steffi Graf : Player Details |website=Itftennis.com |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816150205/http://www.itftennis.com/procircuit/players/player/profile.aspx?playerid=20003282 |archive-date=16 August 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Graf also occasionally played mixed doubles, although she never won a title. She partnered with doubles specialist [[Mark Woodforde]] at the Australian Open in 1994, with [[Henri Leconte]] at Wimbledon in 1991 and at the French Open in 1994, and with [[Charlie Pasarell]] at the US Open in 1984. In an unusual arrangement, she paired with her coaches Pavel Složil at Wimbledon in 1988 and Heinz Günthardt in 1992 and 1996, also at Wimbledon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/players/8a6409a5-66b2-4c89-9854-bd361a2eef90_MX.pdf |title=Steffi Graf (GER) : Mixed Doubles |website=Wimbledon.com |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327171048/http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/draws/archive/pdfs/players/8a6409a5-66b2-4c89-9854-bd361a2eef90_MX.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref> At the [[1999 Wimbledon Championships – Mixed doubles|1999 Wimbledon Championships]], Graf formed a much-publicized partnership with [[John McEnroe]], with whom she reached the semifinals before withdrawing due to concerns that her uncertain hamstring, coupled with a bout of [[bronchitis]], would affect her in the singles final.<ref>{{cite news |author=Nick Harris |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis-wimbledon-99-magic-mixture-of-mcenroe-and-graf-1102587.html |title=Tennis: Wimbledon 99 – Magic mixture of McEnroe and Graf |work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517234711/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis-wimbledon-99-magic-mixture-of-mcenroe-and-graf-1102587.html |archive-date=17 May 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Robin Finn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/26/sports/tennis-without-dad-around-disturb-her-lucic-upsets-fourth-seeded-seles-wimbledon.html |title=TENNIS; Without Dad Around To Disturb Her, Lucic Upsets Fourth-Seeded Seles at Wimbledon |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=26 June 1999 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916164847/http://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/26/sports/tennis-without-dad-around-disturb-her-lucic-upsets-fourth-seeded-seles-wimbledon.html |archive-date=16 September 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Graf Likely To Retire|url=https://cbsn1.cbsistatic.com/news/graf-likely-to-retire/|website=CBS News|access-date=31 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201082242/https://cbsn1.cbsistatic.com/news/graf-likely-to-retire/|archive-date=1 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Post-career exhibition matches===
[[File:Steffi Graf (Wimbledon 2009).jpg|thumb|upright=.8|Graf at Wimbledon 2009]]
In late 1999 and early 2000, as part of her Farewell Tour, Graf played a series of exhibition matches against former rivals in New Zealand, Japan, Spain, Germany and South Africa. She played [[Jelena Dokic]] in [[Christchurch]], New Zealand, Amanda Coetzer in [[Durban]], South Africa, and her former rival Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in [[Zaragoza]], Spain.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/graf-overcomes-layoff-to-beat-coetzer-in-farewell-exhibition-741947.html |title=Graf overcomes layoff to beat Coetzer in farewell exhibition |work=[[The Independent]] |date=7 December 1999 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520162957/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/graf-overcomes-layoff-to-beat-coetzer-in-farewell-exhibition-741947.html |archive-date=20 May 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzine.co.nz/features/tennis.html |title=* NZine * Tennis – The Biggest Participant Sport In New Zealand – Tennis, Steffi Graf, Indoor Tennis Centre, Davis Cup, Anthony Wilding, Wilding Park, Maurice Agar, Scenic Circles Indoor Tennis Centre, New Zealand Tennis |website=Nzine.co.nz |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007114531/http://www.nzine.co.nz/features/tennis.html |archive-date=7 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was Graf and Sánchez Vicario's first head-to-head meeting since 1996. In February 2000, Graf played against [[Kimiko Date]] at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Tokyo, Nagoya Rainbow Hall in Nagoya, winning in three sets.<ref>{{cite news|last=Greene |first=Bob |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/the-week-in-tennis-741956.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/the-week-in-tennis-741956.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=The Week in Tennis |work=[[The Independent]] |date=14 December 1999 |access-date=15 July 2017}}</ref> In September 2004, Graf dispatched her former doubles partner Gabriela Sabatini, in straight sets, in an exhibition match played in [[Berlin]], Germany.<ref name="latimes2005">{{cite web |author=Lisa Dillman |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-mar-30-sp-tennis30-story.html |title=Graf Will Make a Cameo in Team Tennis |website=Los Angeles Times |date=30 March 2005 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-date=30 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030231318/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-mar-30-sp-tennis30-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She was also in Berlin to host a charity gala, as well as inaugurating a tennis stadium renamed the "Steffi Graf Stadion". Proceeds from her match against Sabatini went to Graf's foundation, "Children for Tomorrow".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kammerer|first1=Roy|title=Graf back on court – and still boasts that big forehand|agency=Associated Press|date=24 September 2004}}</ref>

In July 2005, Graf competed in one tie of [[World Team Tennis]] (WTT) on the [[Houston Wranglers]] team.<ref name="latimes2005"/> She was beaten in two out of three matches, with each match being one set. Graf lost her singles match to [[Elena Likhovtseva]] 5–4. She teamed with [[Ansley Cargill]] in women's doubles against [[Anna Kournikova]] and Likhovtseva but lost 5–2. She was successful, however, in the mixed doubles match.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sarah Hornaday |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Steffi-Graf-delights-crowd-at-Westside-Tennis-Club-1930275.php |title=Steffi Graf delights crowd at Westside Tennis Club – Houston Chronicle |website=Chron.com |date=13 July 2005 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803090202/http://www.chron.com/sports/article/Steffi-Graf-delights-crowd-at-Westside-Tennis-Club-1930275.php |archive-date=3 August 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Graf completely ruled out a return to professional tennis. In October, Graf defeated Sabatini in an exhibition match in [[Mannheim]], Germany, winning both of their sets. Like the exhibition match the previous year against Sabatini, proceeds went to "Children for Tomorrow".

[[File:Steffi Graf für Rexona.jpg|thumb|upright=.8|Graf at a charity tennis tournament in 2010]]
In 2008 Graf lost an exhibition match against Kimiko Date at [[Ariake Colosseum]] in Tokyo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2015/11/one-ages/56938/ |title=One for the Ages |website=TENNIS.com |date=30 November 2015 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627155436/http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2015/11/one-ages/56938/ |archive-date=27 June 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref> As part of the event, billed as "Dream Match 2008", she defeated Martina Navratilova in a one-set affair 8–7, with Graf winning a tiebreaker 10–5.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/tennis/exh-graf-navratil-0/ |title=Graf edges Navratilova in exhibition |website=Sportsnet.ca |date=15 September 2009 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030221811/http://www.sportsnet.ca/tennis/exh-graf-navratil-0/ |archive-date=30 October 2017 |url-status=live  }}</ref> It was the first time in 14 years Graf had played Navratilova. Graf played a singles exhibition match against [[Kim Clijsters]] and a mixed doubles exhibition alongside husband [[Andre Agassi]] against [[Tim Henman]] and Clijsters as part of a test event and celebration for the newly installed roof over Wimbledon's [[Centre Court]] in 2009. She lost a lengthy one-set singles match to Clijsters and also the mixed doubles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/177910 |title=Steffi Graf: The Queen Returns to Centre Court |website=[[Bleacher Report]] |date=18 May 2009 |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115185129/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/177910 |archive-date=15 January 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

In 2010, Graf participated in the WTT Smash Hits exhibition in Washington, D.C. to support the [[Elton John AIDS Foundation]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Purepeople |title=Steffi Graf lors du WTT Smash Hits à Washington en novembre 2010 – Photo |url=https://www.purepeople.com/media/steffi-graf-lors-du-wtt-smash-hits-a_m520484 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=www.purepeople.com}}</ref> She and Agassi, her husband, were on Team Elton John, which competed against Team Billie Jean King.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/15/AR2010111508410.html |title=Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova and Elton John headline an evening of tennis for charity in Washington |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=15 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128215345/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/15/AR2010111508410.html |archive-date=28 November 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Graf played in the celebrity doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles before straining her left calf muscle and being replaced by Anna Kournikova.

===Summary of career===
Graf won seven singles titles at Wimbledon, six singles titles at the French Open, five singles titles at the US Open, and four singles titles at the Australian Open. Her overall record in 54 Grand Slam events was 278–32 (90 percent) (84–10 at the French Open, 74–7 at Wimbledon, 73–9 at the US Open, and 47–6 at the Australian Open). Her career prize-money earnings totalled US$21,895,277 (a record until [[Lindsay Davenport]] surpassed this amount in January 2008). Her singles win–loss record was 900–115 (88.7 percent).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wtatennis.com/players/70044/name |title=WTA profile of Steffi Graf |publisher=www.wtatennis.com |access-date=17 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625041019/https://www.wtatennis.com/players/70044/name |archive-date=25 June 2023 |url-status=live  }}</ref> She was ranked world No. 1 for 186 consecutive weeks (from August 1987 to March 1991; tied with Serena Williams, a record in the women's game) and a record total 377 weeks overall.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wtatennis.com/player/steffi-graf_2257889_2718 | title=WTA bio | access-date=19 November 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103192507/http://www.wtatennis.com/player/steffi-graf_2257889_2718 | archive-date=3 November 2012 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>