German · Mannheim, West Germany · Born 14 June 1969The only player to achieve the Golden Slam — all four Grand Slams and Olympic gold in the same year (1988).
Stefanie Maria Graf was born in Mannheim, West Germany in 1969 and turned professional in 1982, retiring in 1999 with 22 Grand Slam singles titles — the second-most in Open Era history after Serena Williams — and 107 WTA titles. She won 4 Australian Opens, 6 French Opens, 7 Wimbledons and 5 US Opens. She held the world number one ranking for 377 weeks — a record that stood until Steffi Graf herself was eventually surpassed by Serena Williams. Her 1988 season produced the Golden Slam — the only time in tennis history a player has won all four Grand Slams and the Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year — at the Seoul Games. Her career win percentage of 90% across 901 matches (791 wins, 110 losses) is the highest in WTA history. She won the WTA Tour Finals a record 8 times. Her forehand — flat, driven with exceptional pace and penetration — was the most feared shot in women's tennis for over a decade. She won Wimbledon at ages 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 27 — across a decade of grass court dominance. She retired in August 1999, two weeks after winning the French Open. She married Andre Agassi in 2001 — the most celebrated marriage in tennis history.
She is famous for achieving the Golden Slam in 1988, winning all four Grand Slam tournaments and Olympic gold in a single calendar year.
In 1988 she achieved the Golden Slam — the only player ever to win all four Grand Slams and the Olympic title in the same calendar year.
Did You Know?How They Played
Graf was known for her powerful forehand, considered one of the best in tennis history. She possessed exceptional court coverage and movement, allowing her to retrieve seemingly impossible shots. Her aggressive baseline game was complemented by strong mental toughness and the ability to perform under pressure.
Lasting Impact
Graf revolutionized women's tennis with her athletic approach and powerful groundstrokes, influencing generations of players. She remains one of only two players to achieve the Golden Slam in singles tennis.
Career Honours
- Golden Slam 1988 (all 4 Grand Slams + Olympic gold in same year — unique achievement)
- French Open 1987, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 (6 titles)
- Wimbledon 1988–89, 1991–93, 1995–96 (7 titles)
- Australian Open 1988–90, 1994 (4 titles)
- US Open 1988–89, 1993–94, 1996 (5 titles)
- WTA Tour Finals 8x (record)
German Athletes