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Journalism of Courage
WIMBLEDON, JUNE 21: Saskia, as it was named, began a new fairy-tale existence with one of the most well-known Germans in the world. Graf’s fondness for such things are well-known. It also says a lot about the 30-year-old whose emotional and dramatic journey through women’s professional tennis has become one of the most gripping tales of human endurance.
She almost disappeared, first from the WTA computer and then from the minds of the people, when too many injuries and far too much time on the surgeon’s table forced her to think about life after tennis. But underneath the iron will she is known for, humane gestures like saving a dog or joining a group of German doctors last December to form a charity called Children for Tomorrow, to help youngsters suffering from depression or psychological trauma as a result of war or violence, illustrate that she is hopelessly soft inside.
A couple of weeks ago, when she won her 22nd Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, she not only stole Parisian hearts but also taught a lesson or two, to the Spice Girls of present day tennis, on surviving and playing top-class tennis for 16 years. The kind of passion that Graf aroused in Paris was simply overwhelming considering that the public took so long to warm up to her, like all other great women players.
But then she had seen much better days before her father, Peter Graf’s drinking problems and the tax mess he got into coupled with her physical breakdown almost snuffed out her challenge. She had surgery to mend patella tendons in her left knee, floating bone fragments in her left foot and a bone spur on her right hand. She missed four Grand Slams and when she returned to Wimbledon last year, fans realised how much she loved the sport.
She found emotional support from her racing driver boyfriend Michael Bartels, who has been a strong, backstage man for the superstar.
The tears she shed at Roland Garros may flow again if she adds to her seven Wimbledon titles. That’s how she has been lately. Steffi Graf has been through far too many heartbreaks. Perhaps, that’s what made her what she is.
