Graf's YE#1s in 1987, 1990, 1994

[mattosgrant]

There has been some debate by tennis fans of all 3 of these #1s. Against Navratilova in 87, Seles in 90, and Sanchez Vicario in 94. However it is worth noting she swept every Player of Year award in 87 and 90, but lost out on some of them (including the ITF and French Tennis Magazine choice) to Sanchez in 94.

I tend to go along with that.

1987- I agreed with Graf being #1. Normally I would lean heavily to a 2 slam winner over a 1 slam winner for the year and it would take something extreme to change my mind. 12 tournament titles to 4 is that kind of extreme.

1990- I would also favor Graf this year. Her slam results were far better overall even though both she and Seles won 1. A title, runner up, 2nd runner up and semifinal vs a title, quarters, 3rd round, and DNP is simply a no contest. Then with Graf still ending the year with a higher title count and slightly better W-L and it seems like a no brainer. I do see where the Seles backers come from a bit as she won the YEC and most of their other titles were more tier 1ish or a bit higher, but Graf's way better slam results seals it for me.

1994- I think Sanchez was clearly the #1 this year, and dont see any argument for Graf whatsoever. Looking at their results I am baffled how the computer even had her there. So this is the only one of the three I disagree with.

Perhaps Seles's #1 ranking should have been frozen for a 12 month period, in which case you could add 1993 too.

 

[pat200]

the only year where tennis fans might argue who deserved the YE#1 is 94. The other 2 years are unanimously in favor of Graf. If there are 5-6 tennis fans on this forum who disagree it doesn't mean there is a debate about it among tennis fans.

 

[Djokovic2011]

ASV really should've been the YE#1 in '94. The funny thing is, after losing 0 and 2 to Graf in the AO final, I never would've imagined at the time that she'd go on to win 2 of the next 3 majors and that Graf would go out in the first round at Wimbledon! And I'll never forget the Hamburg final from that year either - my mum and I were watching it on a German sports channel on the edge of our seats, praying for Arantxa to win haha. Ah, to be young once again.

 

[boredone3456]

The only thing that was in Grafs Favor in 1994 was the fact she won more tier 1 titles than Arantxa. But I don't see this doing more than evening the 1 extra major. Then again I'm not sure how the points system was back then off the top of my head but that's really the only thing I can see at a glance that was a plus for Steffi in 94....and even that isn't much of a plus.

 

[Gizo]

ASV was unquestionably the player of the year in 1994 in my mind, with more grand slam titles, more grand slam final appearances and more titles overall, along with Graf's 1st round defeat at Wimbledon.