Why Is Steffi Graf’s Status as a Tennis Legend Not Shared by All?
Steffi Graf is confident that Serena Williams will surpass her record of 22 major singles victories set during the Open era, and she says she will be pleased for the American if that happens. Williams, who has won 21 Grand Slam singles titles, was defeated in the Australian Open final by Graf’s fellow German, Angelique Kerber, in January, ending her hopes of tying the record.
Graf, though, believes Williams will make a strong return this year. “I have no doubt that she will smash the record,” Graf stated in an interview with AFP. “To be honest I think we all believe that she can, and that she will soon.”
The 46-year-old said there wouldn’t be any lasting sadness at losing to Williams, despite dominating women’s tennis from the late 1980s until the end of the 1990s. She giggled and asked, “Have I accepted it?” Graf, who is currently a mother of two and resides in Las Vegas with her husband Andre Agassi and their two kids, said, “I feel great about what I have achieved. I gave everything to tennis.”