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, holds the record for the most weeks ranked world No. 1 by the WTA (377) and year-end No. 1 finishes (8). She claimed 107 singles titles on the WTA Tour, including 22 major women's singles titles, the second-most in the Open Era and third-most of all time. Graf 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 in a Major Final

Since 1911, Graf's 1988 win against Natasha Zvereva was the only double bagel in a Major final

1953: Maureen Connolly Brinker's Grand Slam

In 1953, Maureen Connolly Brinker previously performed the feat of winning the Grand Slam.

1968: Start of the Open Era

In 1968, the Open Era began, marking a new chapter in tennis history. Steffi Graf has won the second-most major women's singles titles since then.

1970: Margaret Court's Grand Slam

In 1970, Margaret Court previously performed the feat of winning the Grand Slam.

1978: Introduction of Hard Court at US Open

In 1978, hard court was introduced at the US Open.

1982: European Championships Win

In 1982, Steffi Graf won the European Championships in both the 12s and 18s categories.

1984: International Attention and Olympic Win

In 1984, Graf gained international attention at Wimbledon and won the tennis demonstration event at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

April 1986: First WTA Tournament Win

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

1987: Ascension to World No. 1

In 1987, Graf achieved a 75-2 win-loss record. On August 17, 1987, after defeating Evert, Graf overtook Navratilova for the world No. 1 ranking, which she held for 186 consecutive weeks.

1987: Grand Slam Tournament Breakthrough

In 1987, Graf had a Grand Slam tournament breakthrough, winning six tournaments heading into the French Open and ultimately defeating Martina Navratilova in the French Open final.

1987: First Major Win at French Open

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

1988: First French Open Title Since 1988

During Seles's absence in 1993, Graf won her first French Open title since 1988.

1988: Golden Slam Achievement

In 1988, Graf achieved the Golden Slam, winning all four major titles and the Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year.

1988: US Open Victory and Grand Slam

In 1988, Graf beat Sabatini in the US Open final to win the Grand Slam, becoming one of only three women to achieve this feat. Her 1988 Grand Slam remains the only one completed on three surfaces.

1988: Winning a 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: Australian Open Victory

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

1988: Virginia Slims Championships Upset and BBC Award

In 1988, Graf was upset by Pam Shriver at the Virginia Slims Championships, preventing her from achieving the Golden Super Slam. She was also named the 1988 BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year.

1989: Australian Open Victory and Unbeaten Streak

Graf defeated Mary Joe Fernández in the final of the Australian Open in 1989, marking her eighth Grand Slam singles title in the last nine she contested. Her winning streak continued until she lost to Monica Seles in Berlin.

1989: Virginia Slims Championships

In 1989, Graf had won the Virginia Slims Championships.

1989: Victories and Top-Ranked Status

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

1989: Speculation and Australian Open Win

In 1989, there was speculation about Graf potentially winning another Grand Slam. She began the year by winning the Australian Open, extending her Grand Slam tournament winning streak to five events.

1993: Return to Dominance After Seles Stabbing

Following the stabbing of Monica Seles in 1993, Graf returned to dominance on the women's tour.

1993: Mixed Start to the Year and German Open Win

In 1993, Graf had a mixed start, losing four of her first six tournaments. She later struggled at the German Open in Berlin, before ultimately claiming her seventh title there in eight years.

1993: Winning a 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 Victory and Back Injury

In 1994, Graf started the year by winning the Australian Open. She later developed a bone spur at the base of her spine, leading to a back injury.

1995: French Open and Wimbledon Victories, Seles's Return

In 1995, Graf won both the French Open and Wimbledon. Monica Seles made her return to tennis at the Canadian Open, and Graf faced her in the US Open final, winning in three sets.

1996: Grand Slam Titles and WTA Tour Championship

In 1996, Graf defended her French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open titles, also securing her fifth WTA Tour Championships title.

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 retired from the sport at age 30, ranked world No. 3.