Steffi: German and all humane

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 manyinjuries 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.

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.