Steffi Graf is a legend with 22 Grand Slam singles titles and is probably most instrumental in bringing in the power and aggression we see in the women’s game today.
However, it is interesting to speculate what might have been if Monica Seles was not attacked in April 1993. At that point, she was number1 in the world, having already won 8 Grand Slams to Graf’s 11. Their head to head in Grand Slam finals was 3-1 Seles.
Seles was in a dominant position at that time and post stabbing, Graf went on to win 11 more Slams. Her closest rival after Seles was Aranxta Sanchez who although a tough player was not the same level.
Thus some of Graf’s greatness can be attributed to the fact that she did not face any huge rivals from 93-99 so I consider her a bit fortunate
However, it is interesting to speculate what might have been if Monica Seles was not attacked in April 1993. At that point, she was number1 in the world, having already won 8 Grand Slams to Graf’s 11. Their head to head in Grand Slam finals was 3-1 Seles.
Seles was in a dominant position at that time and post stabbing, Graf went on to win 11 more Slams. Her closest rival after Seles was Aranxta Sanchez who although a tough player was not the same level.
Thus some of Graf’s greatness can be attributed to the fact that she did not face any huge rivals from 93-99 so I consider her a bit fortunate