Court Level Steffi

[Grafil Injection]

I'm amazed how bad the quality of videos from the late 80s and early 90s are. I don't remember TVs being so rubbish, even in the 480p era. This means it's hard to find decent clips of Steffi, which is a big shame. I did come across a series of her in the 1993 Canadian Open, which include a good amount of court level rallies. This match is extra special as the opponent, Sawamatsu, is also using a 200G, plus Steffi does a few of her rare top-spin backhands. The other matches in this series are also edited down to a nice 10 minute or so length.

1993 Toronto 3R​

 

[BeatlesFan]

I never watched another WTA match after she retired. For me she will forever be the female GOAT. Her footwork was from another world. Only Fed had footwork as sublime as Steffi.

 

[ey039524]

Growing up, I didn't appreciate how amazing she was. I would always root for Sabatini to beat her, which would usually end in disappointment. Now, she's one of my favorites of all time, especially her footwork and her demeanor.

 

[Moose Malloy]

The US Open uploads are great quality imo

 

[Moose Malloy]

 

[Moose Malloy]

 

[The Green Mile]

Graf hitting a winner down the middle of the court is hilarious, Sawamatsu getting wrong footed like that...

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

I'm amazed how bad the quality of videos from the late 80s and early 90s are. I don't remember TVs being so rubbish, even in the 480p era. This means it's hard to find decent clips of Steffi, which is a big shame. I did come across a series of her in the 1993 Canadian Open, which include a good amount of court level rallies. This match is extra special as the opponent, Sawamatsu, is also using a 200G, plus Steffi does a few of her rare top-spin backhands. The other matches in this series are also edited down to a nice 10 minute or so length.

The quality was bad, maybe from someone's VCR. The camera work was better than today. The high camera moved from side to side and zoomed in and out. Today, most events, the high camera is fixed. Thanks for posting.

 

[Grafil Injection]

The quality was bad, maybe from someone's VCR. The camera work was better than today. The high camera moved from side to side and zoomed in and out. Today, most events, the high camera is fixed. Thanks for posting.

I noticed that in the first three rounds the camera angle changed often with lots of court level shots, but once it got to the 1/4 finals it went back to the usual boring high-up view. Steffi does some nice topspin BHs in rounds 1 and 2 as well, as if she was happy to use it on easier opponents.

 

[BenC]

lol she even hit a two-handed BH at 4:00 (although her opponent's shot was already out).

 

[dryeagle]

If thread for best legs, it wouldn’t be a debate at all.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Not court level, but some magnificent Steffi all-court domination (typical for first round matches) in this Wimbledon 1989 opener against a plucky Brit (Julie Salmon). The first point smash is particularly fun! Some lovely top-spin BHs and even 2nd service serve and volley! This kind of outclassing just emphasises how good Martina and Gabi were to hang with Steffi.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=video&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiq3LCJp6WCAxUuX0EAHUB4BcIQtwJ6BAgJEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DvHCS7c7Yxn4&usg=AOvVaw31ZRenHm3UGF4rt2JocWCI&opi=89978449

 

[Waves]

So good, in so many ways. Nice bump. Thanks

 

[puppybutts]

I'm amazed how bad the quality of videos from the late 80s and early 90s are. I don't remember TVs being so rubbish, even in the 480p era. This means it's hard to find decent clips of Steffi, which is a big shame. I did come across a series of her in the 1993 Canadian Open, which include a good amount of court level rallies. This match is extra special as the opponent, Sawamatsu, is also using a 200G, plus Steffi does a few of her rare top-spin backhands. The other matches in this series are also edited down to a nice 10 minute or so length.

I think 1) memories always look higher quality in our heads, 2) not necessarily the source footage that is bad, but having to convert analog recording formats to digital then uploading to YT means a lot of data conversion and opportunities for quality loss.

though a lot of the databases available for tennis matches obtained via 3rd-party means seem to be lower quality to begin with

 

[McLovin]

If thread for best legs, it wouldn’t be a debate at all.

 

[Grafil Injection]

This match has some great court-level action. I particularly like the fade-away cross-court ohbh at 21.10. Definitely 'too good'.

US Open Finale 1989 Steffi Graf - Martina Navratilova​

WaWaWa - Was Wann War
169K views 10 months ago