Steffi Graf

[power(bubbles)]

Arantxa retired when she was around 29 or 30 I'm not sure. Sabatini when she was 26. Hingis well really not a retirement in my opinion. She suffered from burnout and series of injuries.

[bludwid]

Arantxa retired when she was around 29 or 30 I'm not sure. Sabatini when she was 26. Hingis well really not a retirement in my opinion. She suffered from burnout and series of injuries.

Exactly my point. These players retired before Graf did, so it can't really be said that she retired prematurely.

[bludwid]

Here's my take off on Graf. 24 is the record for most slams, if Steffi were able to match this, maybe she can be considered the greatest player.
That 24 won't be touched because there's so much depth in women's tennis nowadays. That's why we have 5 different women winning the last 5 slams.

I think the reason that record won't be touched is that there are a lot more competitions outside the grand slams now. It's more physically demanding on their bodies to play on the WTA nowadays than when it was before, plus the fact that there's a lot more power involved in the women's game - hence, the body takes a beating.

In addendum, the reason Steffi is so great (but I won't concede that she's the best ever) is that she changed the face of tennis. Without Steffi, I don't think there will be that many powerhitters. People here go on about "today's" powerhitters, but forget the fact that it was Steffi who introduced the man-like forehand in the first place.

The reason I don't rate players too much nowadays is that they're all talent and no attitude. What I see them do, I've seen before. Serena, Venus, Henin-Hardenne, Clijsters - looking at them one way or another, you've seen Steffi do it all 10 years or so ago. They're like clones. They've nothing much to offer the game, and from a personal standpoint, that's how I judge how great a tennis player is.

Which is why if you ask me who the greatest ever was, I'd tell you straight out it was Billie Jean King.

Bill Russell won more NBA titles than Michael Jordan, but it was Jordan's innovation and persona which people rave about, and what people will be raving about for years to come. That's how greatness should be judged.

[lucent1425]

What if...
a) Monica Seles was never stabbed?
b) Jennifer Capriati never left the game?

How many GS titles would Graf have ended up with?... makes you wonder




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Graf would still get the 22 GS, power hitters today should be thankful that Graf is already retired 'coz the forehand of Graf is simply amazing, nobody comes close, she is very versatile as a player, siguradong mahihirapan sina Serena, Davenport, Kim, Venus at Sharapova dahil madiskarte maglaro si Graf, superb ang slice backhand niya na weakness ng mga power hitters ngayon.

Also noticed that players today easily get tired & frustrated when losing games, attitude na wala si Graf, she is mentally prepared at hindi pikon tulad ng mga players ngayon.

Graf is truly the best female tennis player, PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE !!
wala pa akong nakikitang ibang players na consistent sa laro tulad ni Graf, lahat puro pwersa, hindi na nag0-iisip ng ibang diskarte kaya nagiging boring na ang mga plays, very predictable

[lucent1425]

Here's my take off on Graf. 24 is the record for most slams, if Steffi were able to match this, maybe she can be considered the greatest player.
That 24 won't be touched because there's so much depth in women's tennis nowadays. That's why we have 5 different women winning the last 5 slams.

I think Graf retired prematurely because she knows that she wouldn't be able to handle the new generation of power hitters, yes she's speedy and has that slice -without topsin, but it didn't even help her beat Davenport on grass who is not as athletic and as fast as her. Graf's game over the years never really developed. Just slice and dice and run around to hit a forehand as much as you can. I think she's too afraid to come to the net. Good thing she retired because there's no way she can out hit the players of today.

Graf has nothing to prove anymore 22 GS, no other player can beat that record, aminin !!!!
Where are the power hitters like Myskina, Kuznetsova, injured or exhausted.
Power hitters today are just overrated, puro pwersa lang walang diskarte.

[bludwid]

Graf has nothing to prove anymore 22 GS, no other player can beat that record, aminin !!!!
Where are the power hitters like Myskina, Kuznetsova, injured or exhausted.
Power hitters today are just overrated, puro pwersa lang walang diskarte.

Correction, Margaret Court Smith won 24 Grand Slam singles titles, so if you define greatest on Grand Slam wins alone, then Mde Smith is the greatest there is...

which isn't true of course...

[lucent1425]

Correction, Margaret Court Smith won 24 Grand Slam singles titles, so if you define greatest on Grand Slam wins alone, then Mde Smith is the greatest there is...

which isn't true of course...

yes, Margaret has the most no. of GS but Graf is the better player

[bludwid]

yes, Margaret has the most no. of GS but Graf is the better player

but you were basing your argument on grand slam wins before. I'm confused.

anyway, back to the topic.

[elyserva]

lucent1425

Talentwise, kay Martina Hingis ako!

Wala yang Stefi Graf mo!

[22mai]

hows steffi's doubles record?

[bludwid]

hows steffi's doubles record?

she's not got any, which I think should also be considered... versatility is a factor.

[22mai]

she's not got any, which I think should also be considered... versatility is a factor.

indeed, i think it should be considered too...

[lucent1425]

lucent1425

Talentwise, kay Martina Hingis ako!

Wala yang Stefi Graf mo!

uy, may gustong ma-ban dito, sana mabasa 'to ni neth_row

Martina Hingis is a just a name in tennis, Steffi Graf is a legend already, nobody comes close to her, ok !!!

[lucent1425]

indeed, i think it should be considered too...

may gustong manggulo dito, huwag kang pasaway at baka pumunta uli ako sa thread ni Martina Hingis, ok !!!

[lucent1425]

lucent1425

Talentwise, kay Martina Hingis ako!

Wala yang Stefi Graf mo!

where is Martina Hingis now ? answer please !!!!!!!

[neth_row]

Errr... isang tao lang ang nakikita kong nanggugulo rito. This is a message board, for crying out loud, so expect differences in opinion. Go join a Steffi Graf fan club if you can't take other people criticizing your idol. If you can't take the heat...

[lucent1425]

Errr... isang tao lang ang nakikita kong nanggugulo rito. This is a message board, for crying out loud, so expect differences in opinion. Go join a Steffi Graf fan club if you can't take other people criticizing your idol. If you can't take the heat...

this thread is for Steffi Graf fans and not for bashers like elyserva.

you are not effective as a moderator, obvious na pabor ka pa sa mga nanggugulo dito. tsk,,, tsk....

[bludwid]

easy, easy...

let's just have a cold bottle of beer on this shall we?

[neth_row]

This thread is all about Steffi Graf, fans and bashers alike. The discussion in this thread was going smoothly until you started the name-calling unprovoked, picking fights with those who disagreed with your opinion.

Perhaps you had more leeway over at Local Television & Movies, but this behavior doesn't fly by here at Sports Center. The PM that I sent you should've been enough. Thanks.

[razzp]

she's not got any, which I think should also be considered... versatility is a factor.

That's why Martina Navratilova is greater than her.

But Steffi is more enjoyable to watch than Martina. I'm more into the baseline powergame than the serve and volley powergame. Martina is a power hitter in her own right at least during her time.

I'm amused by this lucent1425 creature.