On August 13, 1999, Steffi Graf surprises the tennis world with her retirement. Her farewell is quiet, but not without emotion
There would have been good opportunities in the summer of 1999, suitable courts in Paris, Wimbledon or New York. But Steffi Graf opted for Heidelberg and an unadorned conference room in the Marriot Hotel.
What she had to announce needed “no fanfare and no hype”, as the Times later wrote approvingly. Graf only needed “a press conference to say it’s over. That’s the way she likes it.”
On August 13, 1999 – 25 years ago today – the golden era of German tennis came to an end, six weeks after Boris Becker had bid farewell on “his” Center Court at Wimbledon.
Graf resignation with tears in her eyes
Graf retired more quietly, but no less moved. “Tennis has defined my whole life, it’s hard to let go,” she whispered with tears in her eyes.
Once she had regained her composure, however, she also described the “relief” that followed the irrevocable decision
