5. Steffi Graf
Steffi Graf, seen right here on the 1987 French Open, first claimed the world No.1 rating on August 17 that 12 months and held it for an astonishing 186 weeks, a document that she that now shares with Serena Williams. The German icon held prime spot for 377 weeks in complete, additionally a document, throughout seven stints by means of to 1997. Graf was the year-end No.1 eight occasions, one other document, although there’s a unhappy asterisk over her complete numbers because of the stabbing assault suffered by arch rival Monica Seles. After Seles was attacked on April 30, 1993, by a crazed Graf fan throughout a match at Hamburg, she spent two years out of tennis. Graf compiled an 87-week run as No.1 after Seles dropped from prime spot. There’s additionally conjecture over what number of majors Graf would have received has Seles not been harm. Whatever the fallout from the grisly incident, Graf was a mighty champion. She received the French Open in 1987 for her first Grand Slam singles titles and ended her profession with 22, the many of the Open period till surpassed by Serena. Graf received the ‘Golden Slam’ in 1988, successful all 4 majors plus the Seoul Olympics singles gold medal. She received three majors in 4 different years, 1989, 1993, 1995 and 1996; in 1989 and 1993, she was runner-up in the one main she did not win and in 1995-96, she was absent from the Australian Open. She received the 1999 French Open 12 years after her first Roland Garros title; her first and final majors. Graf additionally received 5 Tour Finals amongst 107 profession singles titles (third all-time) and two Fed Cups. Later in life, she shaped one of many nice tennis energy {couples} by marrying males’s legend Andre Agassi.
