Graf–Seles rivalry

Steffi Graf and Monica Seles dominant women's tennis players in 80's and 90s had enthralled tennis fans all around the world. Their power packed game, single mindedness towards victory and success ration inspired many to take up rackets. Seles, a left hander played with two-fisted forehand and backhand steamrolled her opponents with precise shot making. Graf in contrast had a formidable forehand, which is called as the greatest shot in the history of women's tennis and a sliced backhand in addition to her penetrating serve. Right from the day both fought for the first time, till the point one of them (Graf) retired, their matches always lived up the expectations.

Head-to-head

Steffi Graf 10-5 Monica Seles

No	Date	Tournament	Surface	Round	Winner	Score
1	11-Jun-89	French Open	Clay	Semifinal	Steffi Graf	6-3 3-6 6-3
2	04-Jul-89	Wimbledon	Grass	4rth Round	Steffi Graf	6-0 6-1
3	29-Oct-89	Midland Bank Championships	Indoors	Final	Steffi Graf	7-5 6-4
4	20-May-90	German Open	Clay	Final	Monica Seles	6-4 6-3
5	10-Jun-90	French Open	Clay	Final	Monica Seles	7-6 6-4
6	31-Mar-91	U.S. Hard Court Championships	Clay	Final	Steffi Graf	6-4 6-3
7	05-May-91	Citizen Cup	Clay	Final	Steffi Graf	7-5 6-7 6-3
8	07-Jun-92	French Open	Clay	Final	Monica Seles	6-2 3-6 10-8
9	05-Jul-92	Wimbledon	Grass	Final	Steffi Graf	6-2 6-1
10	30-Jan-93	Australian Open	Hardcourts	Final	Monica Seles	4-6 6-3 6-2
11	10-Sep-95	US Open	Hardcourts	Final	Steffi Graf	7-6 0-6 6-3
12	08-Sep-96	US Open	Hardcourts	Final	Steffi Graf	7-5 6-4
13	21-Nov-98	Chase Championships	Indoors	Quarterfinal	Steffi Graf	1-6 6-4 6-4
14	27-Jan-99	Australian Open	HardCourts	Quarterfinal	Monica Seles	7-5 6-1
15	04-Jun-99	French Open	Clay	Semifinal	Steffi Graf	6-7 6-3 6-4

Breakdown of the rivalry

• Hard courts: Graf 2-2

• Clay courts: Graf 4-3

• Grass courts: Graf 2-0

• Indoors: Graf 2-0

• Grand Slam Finals: Tied 3-3

• Grand Slam Matches (all): Graf 6-4

• Year-ending Championships Cup: Graf 1-0

• All Finals: Graf 6-4

History

The rivalry between these two great women is legendary in many ways. Both had tasted success enormous success at a very young age. Graf had won 8 of the 9 last grand slam titles before Seles won her first. Seles won 7 of the 8 grand slam titles during the period of 1991-1993. These two shared a complex sort of relationship. Graf’s slump coinciding with her father’s alleged scandal broke-out and emergence of Seles’s as a new No.1 women’s player, had taken down the confidence a lot out of Graf who was still at her physically peak period. Seles said after Steffi Graf whipped her 6-2 6-1 for the 1992 Wimbledon title: “I am still the best women’s tennis player in the world. Steffi will never be No.1 again.” .

Ever since Monica Seles was stabbed, the relationship definitely ruined, still leading to a big debate between their fans. When Seles beat Graf for the first time after her comeback, in her interview she quotes:

“ Q. Do you still get a special feeling when you know you are going to play Steffi?

A. I really get a special feeling when I play any top players. I don't exclude or include Steffi in that. I just go out there and play, and I know it's going to be a tough match, and I expect that a quarter final of a Grand Slam to be tough and I just do, try to do the best that I can that day.

But Steffi is not the best player in the world. It's Lindsay, and Martina. So it's a different level that they are playing now”

If Seles had not been stabbed it would have been one of the greatest ever rivalries in the world of sport. However, the rivalry had its own highs.

1989 French Open Semifinal: Seles surprised everybody with such penetrating strokes on both the sides. However Graf won the thriller.

1992 French Open Final: Still considered by many as one of the greatest finals of all time, one of best that Graf and Seles played. Graf saved handful of match points before losing 8-10 in the third set.

1995 US Open Final: Graf held her nerve this time to win the match to prove a point. However only after losing the second set 0-6.

1998 Chase Championship quarters: Graf with couple of tournament wins behind qualified for this year ending championships, beat defending champion Jana Novotna in the earlier round. With the way Seles played and won the first set, it looked like a thrashing defeat in store for Graf. However, Graf and Seles played one of the most enjoyable matches at the Garden and thrilled their fans one more time. Graf came out as victor 6-4 6-4.

External links

• Graf-Seles rivalry on Information Tennis