Steffi Graf: Serena can pass all our records

[AngieB]

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/09/graf-serena-can-set-career-grand-slam-title-record/49295/

NEW YORK (AP)—Steffi Graf doesn't see anyone stopping Serena Williams from becoming the career leader in Grand Slam singles titles.

Williams earned her 17th major title at the U.S. Open this month. Graf, who won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, believes Williams will surpass leader Margaret Court at 24.

"She's got a lot of tennis left in her,'' Graf said. "I can easily see her pass all of our records. I don't see the competition catching up to her.''

Williams is one major championship away from matching the 18 titles held by Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.

These days, the 44-year old Graf is busy raising 11-year-old Jaden and 9-year old Jaz, who enjoy baseball and dance.

Graf attended an event in New York and promoted her foundation "Children for Tomorrow,'' which works with youth traumatized by war.

 

[tennisaddict]

Nice of Graf to say that. True sporting legend.

 

[Graf1stClass]

there's a difference between hyperbolic modesty and lying.

since it's Steffi, I guess it'll be the former.

 

[Chico]

Graf should not talk about records without acknowledging her records were fake and tainted by despicable act of her fan.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

^ Stop your nationalistic whining. Seles' non-stabbing career is all guesswork, but one thing is certain: she was a total washout at Wimbledon (based on results), and there's nothing to say that status would change.

OP: she could be correct, but I do not see Serena passing Graf.

 

[Vanhool]

Well that was quick! I knew this thread was destined for self destruction

 

[LeeD]

Why shouldn't she? Serena passing all the records.
Serena is bigger, much stronger, as fast, as quick, hit harder, than any other WTA player.
It's almost like putting Ferrer into the WTA and see how he does.

 

[Graf=GOAT]

Great to see Steffi embracing the art of trolling.

 

[AngieB]

OP: she could be correct, but I do not see Serena passing Graf.

It will be exciting to follow for sure!

Serena is in unchartered territory historically. She has a clear-cut advantage over her competitors but she's in her 30's. We will all know by the end of 2014. If Serena stays healthy and hungry no reason she can't surpass Evert and Navratilova and possibly tie or pass Helen Wills.

It really all depends on Serena's motivation and body. If both hold up through 2016-2017, Steffi might be absolutely correct.

I think the last player I recall Steffi commenting about was Justine Henin. It was more congratulatory towards Henin, but not eluding to any history-making efforts. Her comments about Serena are more far-reaching in my opinion. My guess would be that Steffi sees something in Serena that she has never seen before.

I've watched both Steffi and Serena since their teen years. Both women have a competitive spirit that is unmatched.

AngieB

 

[AngieB]

Graf should not talk about records without acknowledging her records were fake and tainted by despicable act of her fan.

To be fair, and if that is truly what you believe, then we should discuss Monica's genetics and how she might not have been predisposed to becoming an athletic GOAT.

But I really don't want to go there. Its been 20 years and Monica's gone on with her life and so has Steffi. Too bad you can't as well. God loves you, Chico!


AngieB

 

[Incognito]

Steffi has always been in awe of GOATrena. She once said, "GOATrena underachieved" when she only had 13 majors.


She knew the woman with the greatest serve and return in history is worth at least twice that number 13.

 

[Vanhool]

Steffi has always been in awe of GOATrena. She once said, "GOATrena underachieved" when she only had 13 majors.


She knew the woman with the greatest serve and return in history is worth at least twice that number 13.

Lol! I'm sure those were her exact words troublemaker!

 

[Incognito]

Lol! I'm sure those were her exact words troublemaker!

don't remember exactly but she said something like.."she hasn't used her full potential" after 13 majors.

"GOATrena underachieved"<-----what Steffi feels deep down.

 

[Fastpace Ace]

How come these Serena "GOAT" threads usually get blown up to multiple pages really quick and ongoing debates, but since Graf has said that Serena could definitely be the future GOAT this thread is going nowhere? Just curious? I think I know, but not sure? Thanks in advance.

 

[AngieB]

How come these Serena "GOAT" threads usually get blown up to multiple pages really quick and ongoing debates, but since Graf has said that Serena could definitely be the future GOAT this thread is going nowhere? Just curious? I think I know, but not sure? Thanks in advance.

Steffi has spoken. She doesn't say much a lot of the time but when she does people listen. An endorsement from one of the historical GOAT's should carry a lot of weight in these discussions.

AngieB

 

[TMF]

I don't think Serena will ever match so many tennis records let alone pass them because the numbers are out of reach for a 32 years old player.

Graf was just being nice.


Most GS titles
player total
1 Steffi Graf 22
2 Martina Navratilova 18
2 Chris Evert 18
4 Serena Williams 17
5 Margaret Court 11
6 Monica Seles 9
7 Billie Jean King 8
8 Justine Henin 7
8 Evonne Goolagong Cawley 7
8 Venus Williams 7

Most GS finals
Rank Name Total
1 Chris Evert 34
2 Martina Navrátilová 32
3 Steffi Graf 31
4 Evonne Goolagong 18
5 Serena Williams 21
6 Venus Williams 14
7 Monica Seles 13
8 Margaret Court 12
8 Martina Hingis 12
8 Billie Jean Moffitt 12

Most single titles
Rank Player Singles
1 Martina Navratilova 167
2 Chris Evert 157
3 Steffi Graf 107
4 Margaret Court 92
5 Evonne Goolagong Cawley 68
6 Billie Jean King 67
7 Lindsay Davenport 55
8 Virginia Wade 55
= Serena Williams 55
10 Monica Seles 53

Most weeks at #1
Rank Player weeks
1 Steffi Graf 377
2 Martina Navratilova 332
3 Chris Evert 260
4 Martina Hingis 209
5 Monica Seles 178
6 Serena Williams * 154
7 Justine Henin 117
8 Lindsay Davenport 98
9 Caroline Wozniacki* 67
10 Victoria Azarenka* 51

Consecutive weeks at #1
1 Steffi Graf (1) 186
2 Martina Navratilova (1) 156
3 Chris Evert (1) 113
4 Steffi Graf (2) 94
5 Monica Seles (1) 91
6 Martina Navratilova (2) 90
7 Steffi Graf (3) 87
8 Martina Hingis (1) 80
9 Chris Evert (2) 76
10 Martina Hingis (2) 73

Year end No. 1 players
player year
Steffi Graf 8
Martina Navratilova 7
Chris Evert 5
Lindsay Davenport 4
Justine Henin 3
Martina Hingis
Monica Seles
Caroline Wozniacki 2
Serena Williams 2
Jelena Jankovic 1
Victoria Azarenka 1


All surface single winning percentage
Rank Player Wins Losses Win %
1 Margaret Court 593 56 91.37
2 Chris Evert 1309 146 89.97
3 Steffi Graf 902 115 88.69
4 Martina Navratilova 1442 219 86.82
5 Serena Williams*[1] 621 112 84.72
6 Monica Seles 595 122 82.98
7 Justine Henin* 503 109 82.18
8 Billie Jean King 695 155 81.76
9 Evonne Goolagong Cawley 704 165 81.01

Most singles matches won
Player Wins
1 Martina Navratilova 1442
2 Chris Evert 1309
3 Steffi Graf 902
4 Virginia Wade 839
5 Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 759
6 Lindsay Davenport 753
7 Conchita Martínez 739
8 Evonne Goolagong Cawley[5] 704
9 Billie Jean King 695
10 Venus Williams 634

Most match winning streak(all surfaces)
Rank Player Matches
1 Martina Navratilova 74
2 Steffi Graf 66
3 Martina Navratilova 58
4 Margaret Court 57
5 Chris Evert 55
6 Martina Navratilova 54
7 Steffi Graf 46
8 Steffi Graf 45
9 Steffi Graf 44
10 Martina Navratilova 41

Most consecutive singles titles
1. 13 - Martina Navratilova (1984)
2. 12 - Margaret Court (1972-1973)
3. 11 - Steffi Graf (1989-1990)
4. 10 - Chris Evert (1974)
5. 9 - Martina Navratilova (1986)
5. 9 - Margaret Court (1970)
7. 8 - Steffi Graf (1988 )
7. 8 - Martina Navratilova (1983)

Best annual singles winning percentage
1 Martina Navratilova 98.9
2 Steffi Graf 97.7
3 Martina Navratilova 97.5
4 Steffi Graf 97.4
5 Martina Navratilova 96.8
6 Martina Navratilova 96.7
7 Steffi Graf 96
8 Margaret Court 95.3
9 Chris Evert 94.9
10 Margaret Court 94.8


Most consecutive years winning at least one singles title
1. 21 - Martina Navratilova (1974-1994)
2. 18 - Chris Evert (1971-1988 )
3. 14 - Steffi Graf (1986-1999)
4. 11 - Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1970-1980)
4. 11 - Virginia Wade (1968-1978 )
6. 9 - Sandra Cecchini (1984-1992)
6. 9 - Margaret Court (1968-1976)
6. 9 - Lindsay Davenport (1993-2001)
6. 9 - Conchita Martinez (1988-1996)
6. 9 - Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (1988-1996)

Most singles titles won in a year
1. 21 - Margaret Court (1970)
2. 18 - Margaret Court (1969, 1973)
3. 17 - Billie Jean King (1971)
4. 16 - Chris Evert (1974, 1975)
4. 16 - Martina Navratilova (1983)
6. 15 - Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1970)
6. 15 - Martina Navratilova (1982)
8. 14 - Margaret Court (1968 )
8. 14 - Steffi Graf (1989)
8. 14 - Martina Navratilova (1986)
11. 13 - Martina Navratilova (1984)
12. 12 - Chris Evert (1973, 1976)
12. 12 - Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1971)
12. 12 - Martina Navratilova (1985)
15. 11 - Tracy Austin (1980)
15. 11 - Chris Evert (1977)
15. 11 - Steffi Graf (1987, 1988 )
15. 11 - Martina Navratilova (1978, 1979)

 

[snowwhite]

OP: she could be correct, but I do not see Serena passing Graf.

That's called putting even more pressure on the opponent
by the way Graf and Serena are my two favourite players, and since Graf I consider Serena is the best player to come out (regardless of GS numbers)
I think everyone saw Serena at 1999 US Open would've known that she was going to be one of the greats.
Another reason maybe why Graf said so, because everytime Serena was underestimated with her age and injuries, she come up with a huge win, so no one knows when she'll deteriorate dramatically, maybe now, may be in 5 years
Graf is smart in everything, even picking what words to say

 

[snowwhite]

TMF
Just to tell you that Serena played half the number of matches played by Martina Navratilova and by Chris Evert, yet she's almost at the same number of Grand Slams
Great efforts of you but she's among the best 5 tennis players of all time

 

[dominikk1985]

Graf should not talk about records without acknowledging her records were fake and tainted by despicable act of her fan.

without the knee injuries nadal would already be GOAT.

 

[Chico]

without the knee injuries nadal would already be GOAT.

Knee injuries are the result of Nadal's playing style and are not caused using a violence with a deadly cold weapon by Federer's on Djokovic's fans on the tennis court. A huge difference.

 

[Amelie Mauresmo]

Nice of Steffi Graf to say BUT the question is after next year will Serena have the motivation? I can see Serena quitting if she gets to 19 or 20, Serena's already accomplished all her goals in her career. Serena won the French Open for the second time cementing her greatness I think. To win the French Open after a decade winning it in 2002 was awesome this year. The French Open victory for the second time really showed the world Serena is a legend, clay is not her favourite surface BUT she's won the French Open twice which is incredible.

Again, it goes back to the younger players why aren't they challenging Serena? I think Serena will tie Evert and Navratilova and probably pass them to tie Helen Wills Moody, but 22 slams that's a lot to ask or Margaret Court's 24 record. It all depends on if Serena wants to? I think Serena might get bored soon, the competition isn't there on the WTA.

 

[Amelie Mauresmo]

Steffi has always been in awe of GOATrena. She once said, "GOATrena underachieved" when she only had 13 majors.


She knew the woman with the greatest serve and return in history is worth at least twice that number 13.

Graf knows Serena is great she did beat Steffi when she was only seventeen. The only woman to challenge Serena was Justine Henin but sadly she got injured quit, she did comeback but Justine wasn't the same and then she retired again.

 

[TERRASTAR18]

I don't think Serena will ever match so many tennis records let alone pass them because the numbers are out of reach for a 32 years old player.

Graf was just being nice.


Most GS titles
player total
1 Steffi Graf 22
2 Martina Navratilova 18
2 Chris Evert 18
4 Serena Williams 17
5 Margaret Court 11
6 Monica Seles 9
7 Billie Jean King 8
8 Justine Henin 7
8 Evonne Goolagong Cawley 7
8 Venus Williams 7

Most GS finals
Rank Name Total
1 Chris Evert 34
2 Martina Navrátilová 32
3 Steffi Graf 31
4 Evonne Goolagong 18
5 Serena Williams 21
6 Venus Williams 14
7 Monica Seles 13
8 Margaret Court 12
8 Martina Hingis 12
8 Billie Jean Moffitt 12

Most single titles
Rank Player Singles
1 Martina Navratilova 167
2 Chris Evert 157
3 Steffi Graf 107
4 Margaret Court 92
5 Evonne Goolagong Cawley 68
6 Billie Jean King 67
7 Lindsay Davenport 55
8 Virginia Wade 55
= Serena Williams 55
10 Monica Seles 53

Most weeks at #1
Rank Player weeks
1 Steffi Graf 377
2 Martina Navratilova 332
3 Chris Evert 260
4 Martina Hingis 209
5 Monica Seles 178
6 Serena Williams * 154
7 Justine Henin 117
8 Lindsay Davenport 98
9 Caroline Wozniacki* 67
10 Victoria Azarenka* 51

Consecutive weeks at #1
1 Steffi Graf (1) 186
2 Martina Navratilova (1) 156
3 Chris Evert (1) 113
4 Steffi Graf (2) 94
5 Monica Seles (1) 91
6 Martina Navratilova (2) 90
7 Steffi Graf (3) 87
8 Martina Hingis (1) 80
9 Chris Evert (2) 76
10 Martina Hingis (2) 73

Year end No. 1 players
player year
Steffi Graf 8
Martina Navratilova 7
Chris Evert 5
Lindsay Davenport 4
Justine Henin 3
Martina Hingis
Monica Seles
Caroline Wozniacki 2
Serena Williams 2
Jelena Jankovic 1
Victoria Azarenka 1


All surface single winning percentage
Rank Player Wins Losses Win %
1 Margaret Court 593 56 91.37
2 Chris Evert 1309 146 89.97
3 Steffi Graf 902 115 88.69
4 Martina Navratilova 1442 219 86.82
5 Serena Williams*[1] 621 112 84.72
6 Monica Seles 595 122 82.98
7 Justine Henin* 503 109 82.18
8 Billie Jean King 695 155 81.76
9 Evonne Goolagong Cawley 704 165 81.01

Most singles matches won
Player Wins
1 Martina Navratilova 1442
2 Chris Evert 1309
3 Steffi Graf 902
4 Virginia Wade 839
5 Arantxa Sánchez Vicario 759
6 Lindsay Davenport 753
7 Conchita Martínez 739
8 Evonne Goolagong Cawley[5] 704
9 Billie Jean King 695
10 Venus Williams 634

Most match winning streak(all surfaces)
Rank Player Matches
1 Martina Navratilova 74
2 Steffi Graf 66
3 Martina Navratilova 58
4 Margaret Court 57
5 Chris Evert 55
6 Martina Navratilova 54
7 Steffi Graf 46
8 Steffi Graf 45
9 Steffi Graf 44
10 Martina Navratilova 41

Most consecutive singles titles
1. 13 - Martina Navratilova (1984)
2. 12 - Margaret Court (1972-1973)
3. 11 - Steffi Graf (1989-1990)
4. 10 - Chris Evert (1974)
5. 9 - Martina Navratilova (1986)
5. 9 - Margaret Court (1970)
7. 8 - Steffi Graf (1988 )
7. 8 - Martina Navratilova (1983)

Best annual singles winning percentage
1 Martina Navratilova 98.9
2 Steffi Graf 97.7
3 Martina Navratilova 97.5
4 Steffi Graf 97.4
5 Martina Navratilova 96.8
6 Martina Navratilova 96.7
7 Steffi Graf 96
8 Margaret Court 95.3
9 Chris Evert 94.9
10 Margaret Court 94.8


Most consecutive years winning at least one singles title
1. 21 - Martina Navratilova (1974-1994)
2. 18 - Chris Evert (1971-1988 )
3. 14 - Steffi Graf (1986-1999)
4. 11 - Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1970-1980)
4. 11 - Virginia Wade (1968-1978 )
6. 9 - Sandra Cecchini (1984-1992)
6. 9 - Margaret Court (1968-1976)
6. 9 - Lindsay Davenport (1993-2001)
6. 9 - Conchita Martinez (1988-1996)
6. 9 - Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (1988-1996)

Most singles titles won in a year
1. 21 - Margaret Court (1970)
2. 18 - Margaret Court (1969, 1973)
3. 17 - Billie Jean King (1971)
4. 16 - Chris Evert (1974, 1975)
4. 16 - Martina Navratilova (1983)
6. 15 - Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1970)
6. 15 - Martina Navratilova (1982)
8. 14 - Margaret Court (1968 )
8. 14 - Steffi Graf (1989)
8. 14 - Martina Navratilova (1986)
11. 13 - Martina Navratilova (1984)
12. 12 - Chris Evert (1973, 1976)
12. 12 - Evonne Goolagong Cawley (1971)
12. 12 - Martina Navratilova (1985)
15. 11 - Tracy Austin (1980)
15. 11 - Chris Evert (1977)
15. 11 - Steffi Graf (1987, 1988 )
15. 11 - Martina Navratilova (1978, 1979)

serena has 3 ye 1's. time to update.

 

[roysid]

I'm liking to bump up the threads.
As we see it , Serena went on a year and won 6 more slams including the Serena slam from 2014 USO to 2015 w.
Final slam at 2017 ao . No. 23
Then she became pregnant and Osaka arrived