Roland Garros 1999

The fabulous return of Steffi Graf

Venomous tongues described her as finished in tennis. Certainly, since 1996 and her US Open title, Steffi Graf had not won any tournament of note. But in that year of 1999, the German had got rid of her cursed back and knee injuries and had happily found the way back. Even better, the Paris tournament was the stage for her rebirth. Certain of her strength, Martina Hingis believed she could polish off her German rival. The Swiss 18 year old started the final with a surprising calmness. At 30, the lovely Steffi was struggling to find her rhythm. Ill at ease, making many direct faults, Graf was frustrated and let the first set go without much of a fight. On the other side of the court, Martina was already smiling. The second set continued like a dream for the Swiss player who quickly went into a 2-0 lead. Just like John McEnroe in 1984 in his final against Ivan Lendl, something was about to jam the fine Swiss machine. Martina Hingis suddenly flew off the handle after a ball which she saw as out but the umpire considered was inside the court. A dispute. Tempers were raised. The umpire gave her a penalty point. The crowd who were siding with Steffi muttered angrily. It was the turning point of the match. The spectators at Porte d’Auteuil stepped up their encouragement. The German was transformed. Her forehand slice again became the shot that had done so much damage in the past. At the end of an epic second set when the Roland Garros stadium was on the point of keeling over, Steffi Graf took the set (7-5). What happened next was a formality. Martina’s smile disappeared and her tense jaw did not look promising. But Steffi fought for every point and regained her former determination. She took the third set (6-3) and the sixth Roland Garros trophy of her long career. The last too, as she had decided to bow out in Paris. “I feel French”, she proclaimed, to a public madly in love with her. Steffi Graf also did it with her fiancé, André Agassi, in mind. The legendary American player whom she married on 22 October in Las Vegas.