Look at that crowd at Hilton Head. When CEL played at HH or any Florida stop on the tour, it was ALWAYS standing room only . This is the match that made Steffi Graf the champion . She went on to win 4 straight events that spring. That slice backhand really came to be her saving weapon
I loved JoAnne Russell, Bud Collins, and Dick Enberg's commentary. Not just here, but all the tennis events they covered. I loved how Russell and Collins had their own lingo.
Unlike Martina Navratilova, Chris had a tough time beating Steffi after Steffi starting to win against her. I think it was more of a mental block. Also, Chris is about 15 years older than Steffi which is a huge age gap.
@@joeyconvery2055 I think timing also played a part. Steffi really got to the top in 1987, a year when Chris really suffered from injuries, had to take a 5 month break, and was in physical decline. Also must be said that Chris's game didn't threaten Steffi in the way Martina's did. Once Steffi gained the physical strength to outlast Chris then Chris didn't have too many weapons to hurt Steffi with.
One would think that with Evert's experience that comes with age she would triumph over an inexperienced player like Graf. However, Graf "steamrolled" her way into the top five and stayed there during her career. Graf a true champion!
Petr Slivinski Graf did not steam roll her way to top five . She started on tour at 13 with a limited schedule in 1982 and lost first 6 matches to Chris. She steadily progressed like Evert did in first few years on the tour.
Petr Slivinski Evert had beaten Steffi in a fantastic 2 setter just the week before. Chris was 31.5 here playing Steffi half her age, there wasn’t but a couple of points between them on this day. Chris had never even lost a set to her and she was tight here playing a player about to. Make a breakthrough.
@Nepoleon Khwairakpam Monica was 15 years old in 1989...her rookie year when Graf beat her. Monica dominated Graf in the Grand Slams too. Monica was Number 1 for over 2 years because Monica was far superior to Graf.
@@joeyconvery2055 even peak Chrissy had no chance against Steffi. Chrissy literally struggled against peak Martina (1982-86) with 4-22 h2h lol🤣🤣. Imagine what peak Graf do to her. She had more power & athleticism than Martina.
@@rajusaha855 Everyone beat up poor Steffi...Evert, Navratilova, Garrison, Novotna, Sanchez Vicario, Sabatini etc. Monica beat up Steffi the most...Steffi still has the bruises. Poor Steffi. 😆
Evert very coward to plays ALWAYS against Steffi Backhand...and the most exciting thing Is thinking at the scores of their future meetings.Oh Little poor Chrissie,so often Humilied by Steffy Power and will of revenge
odeon64 ...Riggghhht. Chris Evert was *NEVER* known for being a classy, gracious lady or tennis pro. 🙄 It's great how the internet brings-out the most low-information brains imaginable.
odeon64 have you lost your mind? No one and I mean no one had Everts class , especially on the court. Graf never praised Evert at post match interviews - ever! Chris praised Steffi every chance she got. Two German heritage girls here with minds like machines , only Steffi lacking emotional intelligence. Steffi is totally unaware of the feelings of her opponents . Chris always was, she never over celebrated which would rub a win in ( like Serena) .
Well they both agreed on the problem...Evert simply could not figure out how to play the physically adult Graf before her mind and body began to make it less relevant whether she could.
One was at the beginning of an amazing career, the other was nearing the end of her amazing career. An athlete always gets surpassed by a younger generation. It inevitable in any sport.
This was not a bad day for CEL, SG came into her own . SG slice really was so effective. Yes CEL patience lowered as her career was nearing she was oftened quoted in 1989, much of her patience was gone Her trademark
I think so many of the top players end up with a kind of post traumatic stress disorder. The stress and pressure they go through is horrific. Chris Evert spoke recently about just how much tennis had damaged her psychologically. I suspect it was the same for many other players who've been at the top.
Graf is not the GOAT. In fact, it’s shocking how few records in the WTA world record book that she actually holds. Graf has the golden grand slam and most weeks at number one, but that’s about it. She has a shocking amount of losing head-to-head records at 13. She has a winning record against 3 of the all-time top 10 players. Evert holds the record with winning H2Hs against 4 of the all-time top ten. Graf does not have the most titles at the Austrian, French, Wimbledon, or the US Open. Those records belong to Williams, Evert, and Navratilova. She does not have the most GS titles on the various surfaces.. hardcourts, clay, or grass. Those records again belong to Williams, Evert, and Navratilova. She’s not the best at any grand slam or on any surface. She doesn’t have the highest winning percentage all time or at the grand slams. Those records belong to Court. So how again is she the GOAT? She isn’t. Here are some of the major Open Era (not amateur) records in women's tennis and the person who holds the record: Most grand slam titles= Williams Most tournament titles= Navratilova Most titles in a single season= Court Most consecutive singles titles= Navratilova Most titles on hard: Williams Most titles on clay: Evert Most titles on grass: Court Most titles on carpet: Navratilova Highest winning percentage on hard courts= Evert Highest winning percentage on clay= Evert Highest winning percentage on grass= Navratilova Highest winning percentage on carpet= Navratilova Most AO titles= Williams Most FO titles= Evert Most Wimbledon titles= Navratilova Most USO titles= tie Evert & Williams Most consecutive GS titles= Navratilova & Court Most Olympic Gold Singles= (No repeat winners) Graf, Capriati, Davenport, V. Williams, Henin, Dementieva, S. Williams, Puig Most GS finals= Evert Most GS semis= Evert Most weeks at No 1= Graf Most consecutive weeks at No 1= tie Williams & Graf Most consecutive years ranked 1 or 2= Graf Most year-end No 1= Graf Youngest no 1= Hingis Oldest no 1= Williams Most weeks ranked no 1 in singles and doubles simultaneously= Navratilova Most season ending championships= Navratilova Most years in the top 10= Navratilova Most matches played= Navratilova Most matches won= Navratilova Most consecutive years with at least 1 GS title= Evert Most consecutive years with at least 1 tournament title= Navratilova Most consecutive finals= Navratilova Most consecutive titles= Navratilova Longest winning streak all surfaces= Navratilova Longest winning streak on a single surface= Evert Highest career winning percentage= Court Highest single season winning percentage= Navratilova Highest grand slam match winning percentage= Court Calendar year GS= Court & Graf Golden calendar year GS= Graf Career grand slam= Court, King, Evert, Navratilova, Graf, Williams, Sharapova Doubles & mixed GS titles= Navratilova Doubles titles overall= Navratilova Most wins over the no 1 player= Navratilova Players to defeat the number 1 & 2 players at the same event= S. Williams leads with 8 Players to defeat the number 1, 2, & 3 players at the same event= (tie) Graf, S. Williams, V. Williams Least number of games lost en route to a grand slam title= Navratilova *source= WTA record book 2020
@Max E Would Serena trade her 23 GS for 22? No Would Serena trade her 3 golden slams for Graf's 1 calendar year? No Would Serena trade her 7 AO titles (a record) for 4? No Would Serena trade her 7 WO titles for 7? No, they're tied. Would Serena trade her 6 USO titles (a record shared with Evert) for 5? No There is a zero percent chance of Serena trading anything with Graf. Serena, by far, has the superior record. Would Martina trade her 167 tournament titles for 107? No. Same for Evert's 157 titles. My god Martina has 359 titles combined singles, doubles, mixed. Graf has 118 combined. LOL. Martina has 241 more (3x) titles than Graf. Even Evert has 189 combined. Martina has 10 career slams (singles, doubles, mixed), and is the only player who has the triple career slam. Graf has 4 in singles. Ok. But I really doubt that Martina would trade an open era AND all-time/amateur record for something so inconsequential. 200 years from now that record will still be hers.
@@jm7804 But she is near the top in each of your categories. The other players aren't. Conbining this with her stand alone records (377 weeks No 1, Golden Slam, 5 times at least 3 slams a year, 4 or more GS titles at each event) 13 consecutive slam finals. 8 year end No 1 finishes, 5 years No 1 from day 1 to day 365 ....and that is only a selection) that makes Steffi the GOAT.
@@jm7804 c'mon man you can't compare career golden slam with calendar golden slam. Serena career golden slam in singles & doubles are no match in front of Steffi 1988 golden slam.
Unfortunately, Graf would never live up to the promise of this match after this, winning only 106 more singles titles including 22 major titles.
It was sad. I thought she was sure to amount to something. What a shame all of her potential was never realized.
And she won only one Golden Slam!
Look at that crowd at Hilton Head. When CEL played at HH or any Florida stop on the tour, it was ALWAYS standing room only . This is the match that made Steffi Graf the champion . She went on to win 4 straight events that spring. That slice backhand really came to be her saving weapon
She always filled the seats.
Finally managed to get this final part up!!
thank you so much for sharing this special tournament :)
steffi definitely...did NOT fade
I loved JoAnne Russell, Bud Collins, and Dick Enberg's commentary. Not just here, but all the tennis events they covered. I loved how Russell and Collins had their own lingo.
Me too!!
And Chris never beat Steffi again.
Unlike Martina Navratilova, Chris had a tough time beating Steffi after Steffi starting to win against her. I think it was more of a mental block.
Also, Chris is about 15 years older than Steffi which is a huge age gap.
@@joeyconvery2055 I think timing also played a part. Steffi really got to the top in 1987, a year when Chris really suffered from injuries, had to take a 5 month break, and was in physical decline. Also must be said that Chris's game didn't threaten Steffi in the way Martina's did. Once Steffi gained the physical strength to outlast Chris then Chris didn't have too many weapons to hurt Steffi with.
@Nepoleon Khwairakpam Until Monica came along and beat up Steffi.
@GoTeam Seriously, Graf was an amazing athlete and tennis player.
However, In my opinion, Monica was better than Steffi.
@GoTeam Like I said, Steffi is great but no match for Monica.
Don't get angry with me because Monica beat up Steffi. 😆
Steffi was to say a couple of years after this that she could never play a match like this ever again, she just wouldn't have the patience.
Graf earned her stripes
One would think that with Evert's experience that comes with age she would triumph over an inexperienced player like Graf. However, Graf "steamrolled" her way into the top five and stayed there during her career. Graf a true champion!
Petr Slivinski Graf did not steam roll her way to top five . She started on tour at 13 with a limited schedule in 1982 and lost first 6 matches to Chris. She steadily progressed like Evert did in first few years on the tour.
Petr Slivinski Evert had beaten Steffi in a fantastic 2 setter just the week before. Chris was 31.5 here playing Steffi half her age, there wasn’t but a couple of points between them on this day. Chris had never even lost a set to her and she was tight here playing a player about to. Make a breakthrough.
@@lenwelch2195 and with of course nothing to lose...
@@lenwelch2195 Players 31 and older have won WAY more slams in the Open Era than players 16 (the age Steffi was here) or younger. Just so you know.
Steadier and more patient than Chris Evert. Now that's quite a feat!
trent8002003 Yes, Chris is still amazing.
Chris is 15 years older than Steffi...she was going to lose to her eventually.
@Nepoleon Khwairakpam Monica was Number 1 and Steffi was not...Monica beat up Steffi.
@Nepoleon Khwairakpam Monica was 15 years old in 1989...her rookie year when Graf beat her.
Monica dominated Graf in the Grand Slams too. Monica was Number 1 for over 2 years because Monica was far superior to Graf.
@@joeyconvery2055 even peak Chrissy had no chance against Steffi. Chrissy literally struggled against peak Martina (1982-86) with 4-22 h2h lol🤣🤣. Imagine what peak Graf do to her. She had more power & athleticism than Martina.
@@rajusaha855 Everyone beat up poor Steffi...Evert, Navratilova, Garrison, Novotna, Sanchez Vicario, Sabatini etc.
Monica beat up Steffi the most...Steffi still has the bruises.
Poor Steffi. 😆
I wonder why they didn't rush the net more baseline?
Evert very coward to plays ALWAYS against Steffi Backhand...and the most exciting thing Is thinking at the scores of their future meetings.Oh Little poor Chrissie,so often Humilied by Steffy Power and will of revenge
And Navratilova was a coward since she always ran up to the net. She was afraid to battle it out with Steffi from the baseline.
@@carrerau7138 you are so stupid,what kind of answer would you expect After what you said.😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@paologonzato5202 Intellectually challenged people often have problems with sarcasm.
Even way back then Steffi had class, which is more than can be said for Madam Evert!
odeon64 ...Riggghhht. Chris Evert was *NEVER* known for being a classy, gracious lady or tennis pro. 🙄 It's great how the internet brings-out the most low-information brains imaginable.
odeon64 Yeahhhhh right.
odeon64 You're an idiot
odeon64----you haven't watched much tennis have you
odeon64 have you lost your mind? No one and I mean no one had Everts class , especially on the court. Graf never praised Evert at post match interviews - ever! Chris praised Steffi every chance she got. Two German heritage girls here with minds like machines , only Steffi lacking emotional intelligence. Steffi is totally unaware of the feelings of her opponents . Chris always was, she never over celebrated which would rub a win in ( like Serena) .
Well they both agreed on the problem...Evert simply could not figure out how to play the physically adult Graf before her mind and body began to make it less relevant whether she could.
One was at the beginning of an amazing career, the other was nearing the end of her amazing career. An athlete always gets surpassed by a younger generation. It inevitable in any sport.
Steffi was not “physically adult“ in spring 1986 yet.
@@carrerau7138 Most girls reach their adult height between 14-15 yrs old, here she is 16. I don't know how her weight compares.
everyone has a bad day
This was not a bad day for CEL, SG came into her own . SG slice really was so effective. Yes CEL patience lowered as her career was nearing she was oftened quoted in 1989, much of her patience was gone Her trademark
Chris never beat Steffi again...Chris came close to beating her but let's not forget Chris is 15 years older than Steffi.
That is such a huge age gap.
@Illya Kuryakin 18 year graf won the grand slam and the olympic gold medal in 88..
@Nepoleon Khwairakpam Lol...just joking with you.. Let's agree that both Monica and Steffi are tennis legends.
@@joeyconvery2055 Steffi, yes.
About Monica I'm not so sure. Not even ONE Wimbledon title!
Interesting how warm and friendly Steffi was in her teens. She somehow felt more distant and colder later on.
I think the German press was in someways to blame for that
I think so many of the top players end up with a kind of post traumatic stress disorder. The stress and pressure they go through is horrific. Chris Evert spoke recently about just how much tennis had damaged her psychologically. I suspect it was the same for many other players who've been at the top.
Germans had a reputation for being stoic and composed. As Graf got older, she also became more emotional.
@@broncoguy4862 Yes, Becker, Lisicki, Kerber were so stoic and composed all the time as well! 🤭
Graf is not the GOAT. In fact, it’s shocking how few records in the WTA world record book that she actually holds. Graf has the golden grand slam and most weeks at number one, but that’s about it. She has a shocking amount of losing head-to-head records at 13. She has a winning record against 3 of the all-time top 10 players. Evert holds the record with winning H2Hs against 4 of the all-time top ten. Graf does not have the most titles at the Austrian, French, Wimbledon, or the US Open. Those records belong to Williams, Evert, and Navratilova. She does not have the most GS titles on the various surfaces.. hardcourts, clay, or grass. Those records again belong to Williams, Evert, and Navratilova. She’s not the best at any grand slam or on any surface. She doesn’t have the highest winning percentage all time or at the grand slams. Those records belong to Court. So how again is she the GOAT? She isn’t.
Here are some of the major Open Era (not amateur) records in women's tennis and the person who holds the record:
Most grand slam titles= Williams
Most tournament titles= Navratilova
Most titles in a single season= Court
Most consecutive singles titles= Navratilova
Most titles on hard: Williams
Most titles on clay: Evert
Most titles on grass: Court
Most titles on carpet: Navratilova
Highest winning percentage on hard courts= Evert
Highest winning percentage on clay= Evert
Highest winning percentage on grass= Navratilova
Highest winning percentage on carpet= Navratilova
Most AO titles= Williams
Most FO titles= Evert
Most Wimbledon titles= Navratilova
Most USO titles= tie Evert & Williams
Most consecutive GS titles= Navratilova & Court
Most Olympic Gold Singles= (No repeat winners) Graf, Capriati, Davenport, V. Williams, Henin, Dementieva, S. Williams, Puig
Most GS finals= Evert
Most GS semis= Evert
Most weeks at No 1= Graf
Most consecutive weeks at No 1= tie Williams & Graf
Most consecutive years ranked 1 or 2= Graf
Most year-end No 1= Graf
Youngest no 1= Hingis
Oldest no 1= Williams
Most weeks ranked no 1 in singles and doubles simultaneously= Navratilova
Most season ending championships= Navratilova
Most years in the top 10= Navratilova
Most matches played= Navratilova
Most matches won= Navratilova
Most consecutive years with at least 1 GS title= Evert
Most consecutive years with at least 1 tournament title= Navratilova
Most consecutive finals= Navratilova
Most consecutive titles= Navratilova
Longest winning streak all surfaces= Navratilova
Longest winning streak on a single surface= Evert
Highest career winning percentage= Court
Highest single season winning percentage= Navratilova
Highest grand slam match winning percentage= Court
Calendar year GS= Court & Graf
Golden calendar year GS= Graf
Career grand slam= Court, King, Evert, Navratilova, Graf, Williams, Sharapova
Doubles & mixed GS titles= Navratilova
Doubles titles overall= Navratilova
Most wins over the no 1 player= Navratilova
Players to defeat the number 1 & 2 players at the same event= S. Williams leads with 8
Players to defeat the number 1, 2, & 3 players at the same event= (tie) Graf, S. Williams, V. Williams
Least number of games lost en route to a grand slam title= Navratilova
*source= WTA record book 2020
Are you kidding? 4 or more titles at each of the 4 slams is a record for men and women
@Max E Would Serena trade her 23 GS for 22? No Would Serena trade her 3 golden slams for Graf's 1 calendar year? No Would Serena trade her 7 AO titles (a record) for 4? No Would Serena trade her 7 WO titles for 7? No, they're tied. Would Serena trade her 6 USO titles (a record shared with Evert) for 5? No There is a zero percent chance of Serena trading anything with Graf. Serena, by far, has the superior record. Would Martina trade her 167 tournament titles for 107? No. Same for Evert's 157 titles. My god Martina has 359 titles combined singles, doubles, mixed. Graf has 118 combined. LOL. Martina has 241 more (3x) titles than Graf. Even Evert has 189 combined. Martina has 10 career slams (singles, doubles, mixed), and is the only player who has the triple career slam. Graf has 4 in singles. Ok. But I really doubt that Martina would trade an open era AND all-time/amateur record for something so inconsequential. 200 years from now that record will still be hers.
@GoTeam 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th best in every category suddenly jumps to one through a complicated ordinal system. Check your meds crazy.
@@jm7804 But she is near the top in each of your categories. The other players aren't. Conbining this with her stand alone records (377 weeks No 1, Golden Slam, 5 times at least 3 slams a year, 4 or more GS titles at each event) 13 consecutive slam finals. 8 year end No 1 finishes, 5 years No 1 from day 1 to day 365 ....and that is only a selection) that makes Steffi the GOAT.
@@jm7804 c'mon man you can't compare career golden slam with calendar golden slam. Serena career golden slam in singles & doubles are no match in front of Steffi 1988 golden slam.
Now i remember why i don't like women's tennis. A bore from beginning to end.
Watching Steffi is never a bore.
Or are you gay (not that there would be anything wrong about it!)?