Steffi Graf's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Steffi Graf.

Steffi Graf, a German former professional tennis player, is widely considered one of the greatest of all time. She holds the record for the most weeks ranked world No. 1 by the WTA (377) and finished as the year-end No. 1 a record eight times. Graf won 107 singles titles, including 22 major singles titles, the second-most in the Open Era and third-most overall. Notably, she is the only tennis player, male or female, to achieve a quadruple career Grand Slam, winning each major singles tournament at least four times.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1911: Double Bagel Grand Slam Final

Since 1911, the 1988 French Open final where Graf defeated Natasha Zvereva 6-0, 6-0, was the only double bagel in a Major final.

1953: Maureen Connolly Brinker's Grand Slam

In 1953, Maureen Connolly Brinker previously achieved the Grand Slam before Steffi Graf.

1970: Margaret Court's Grand Slam

In 1970, Margaret Court also achieved the Grand Slam before Steffi Graf's accomplishment.

1978: Introduction of Hard Court at US Open

In 1978, hard court was introduced at the US Open, making Graf's 1988 Grand Slam the only one completed on three surfaces (grass, clay, hard court).

1980: Tracy Austin's Top Spot

In 1980, Tracy Austin held the world No. 1 ranking, marking the last time anyone other than Navratilova or Evert held the top spot before Graf.

1982: European Championships Win

In 1982, Steffi Graf won the European Championships for both the 12s and 18s age groups, marking a significant achievement in her junior career.

April 1986: First WTA Tournament Win

On April 13, 1986, Graf won her first WTA tournament at the Family Circle Cup in Hilton Head, South Carolina, defeating Chris Evert in the final.

1987: Grand Slam Breakthrough and French Open Victory

In 1987, Graf had a Grand Slam breakthrough, winning the French Open after defeating Martina Navratilova in the final. She had a strong start to the year with six tournament victories leading up to the French Open.

1987: First Major Win at French Open

In 1987, Steffi Graf won her first major title at the French Open, signaling the end of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova's dominance in women's tennis.

1987: Achieving World No. 1 Ranking

In 1987, specifically on August 17, after defeating Chris Evert, Steffi Graf reached the world No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career. She held the ranking for a record 186 consecutive weeks.

1988: First French Open Title Since 1988

Graf won her first French Open title since 1988 with a three-set victory over Mary Joe Fernández, elevating her to the world No. 1 ranking after 22 months.

1988: Golden Slam

In 1988, Graf achieved the Golden Slam, winning all four major titles (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open) and the Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year, a historic achievement.

1988: Slam on Hardcourt, Clay and Grass

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.

1988: US Open Victory and Grand Slam Achievement

In 1988, Graf completed the Grand Slam by winning the US Open, defeating Sabatini in the final. She remains the only player in history to achieve a Grand Slam on three surfaces (grass, clay, hard court).

1988: Australian Open Win

In 1988, Graf started the year by winning the Australian Open, defeating Chris Evert in the final without losing a set throughout the tournament.

1988: BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year

In 1988, Steffi Graf was named the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year, recognizing her outstanding achievements in tennis.

1989: Victory at Virginia Slims Championships

Graf concluded the year 1989 by winning her first Virginia Slims Championships since 1989, defeating Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the final despite a back injury.

1989: Australian Open Victory

In 1989, Graf began the year by winning the Australian Open, extending her Grand Slam tournament winning streak to five events. She defeated Helena Suková in the final.

1989: Victories and Top-Ranked Status

In 1989, Steffi Graf had victories at Zurich and Brighton before cementing her top-ranked status by beating Navratilova in the Virginia Slims Championships final. She ended the year with an 86-2 match record.

1991: Tough Year with Injuries and Loss of Ranking

In 1991, Steffi Graf faced a challenging year marked by injury problems, personal difficulties, and a decline in form. Monica Seles emerged as the dominant player, winning major titles and ending Graf's 186-week reign as World No. 1 in March. Graf briefly regained the top spot after Wimbledon but lost it again after the US Open.

1993: Mixed Start to the Year and German Open Win

In 1993, Graf had a mixed start, losing four of her first six tournaments. However, she won her seventh German Open title in Berlin, overcoming tough matches against Mary Joe Fernández and Sabatini.

1993: Slam on Hardcourt, Clay and Grass

In 1993, Graf repeated the feat to win a Slam on hardcourt, clay, and grass all in the same season.

1994: Australian Open Win and Injury Struggles

In 1994, Graf won the Australian Open and four subsequent tournaments. She later struggled with a back injury, affecting her performance at the French Open and Wimbledon. Despite the injury, she reached the US Open final.

1995: Victories and Seles' Return

In 1995, Graf won the French Open and Wimbledon, defeating Sánchez Vicario in both finals. Monica Seles made her return to tennis at the Canadian Open, and Graf secured a victory over Seles in the US Open final.

1996: Slam on Hardcourt, Clay and Grass

In 1996, Graf repeated the feat to win a Slam on hardcourt, clay, and grass all in the same season.

1997: Injury-Plagued Year and Loss of Ranking

In 1997, Graf's career was affected by injuries, leading to a loss of the world No. 1 ranking to Martina Hingis and failing to win a Grand Slam title for the first time in ten years. She had arthroscopic surgery performed on her left knee.

1998: Surgeries and Return to Play

In 1998, Graf missed almost half of the tour. She underwent surgery to remove a bone spur in her right wrist after the US Open. She returned to win the Philadelphia title, defeating Hingis and Davenport.

1999: Final Major Title and Retirement

In 1999, Graf captured her 22nd and final major title at the French Open, reached the Wimbledon final, and subsequently retired from professional tennis at the age of 30, ranked world No. 3.