To open our 7th season, we dive into the career of Stefanie Maria Graf, one of the game's most decorated champions and still, somehow, one of its most elusive. Graf's staggering achievements -- beyond the iconic Golden Slam -- are in some ways poorly understood and lost to recent history, likely because she has so determinedly removed herself from the tennis world. Instead of seeing her just as Monica's rival or the goalpost to pass for Grand Slam glory, we look to understand Graf's career as it was, in its own time. What didn't we get about Steffi Graf? What about her game made her the best? Who were her important rivals outside of Monica? What was the state of women's tennis when she arrived, and how did she leave it? What's clear: Steffi was a whole lot more than just "German precision."
0:25 Intro and taking aim at the myths and misunderstandings
10:30 So, about those career stats . . .
13:00 Graf as child prodigy - staggering early seasons in 1985-87
18:15 What was the WTA like when Steffi arrived? The Chrissie-Martina duopoly, burnt out child stars, the next Czech generation
23:20 Gaby and Steffi: "glamour" vs "automation"
29:35 Steffi's peerless game: how was her dominance perceived in its day? (1988-89)
36:50 Becker, Graf, German identity, and the question of patriotism: let's talk about history for a minute
48:00 Peter Graf, a dominating and difficult father, but at times a "shield"
53:05 Monica Seles asks the question again and again, and Monica's removal from the game asks even more
65:00 The rest of the 1990s: more Slams, myriad injuries, and the humiliation of a private life becoming tabloid fodder
73:05 What is Steffi's legacy as a player, and as a member of the once highly political WTA?
79:55 Rivalries: Gaby is the dark horse
82:52 Steffi's iconic matches -- too many to mention, but here are a few
Doing The Best I Can With What I GOT
Whatever Happens
Charleston Renaiissance
Miami Requiiem
The Bees Are Back In Town
Contaminated With Questions
You Cannot Be Serious
Pills and Potions
RIP OHB
Fuming: February Mailbag
Dreaming More Than Ever: AusOpen Wrap
Swallowed Whole: Australian Open Week One
In The Blinkova(n) Eye
Payola: 2024 Australian Open Preview
Comeback Kids
What Off-Season? Tennis and Pop Culture Mailbag
The Streak Breaker: Hana Mandlíková
Misery Business: 2023 ATP Wrap
Let Them Eat Cake: 2023 WTA Wrap
Novak and the Seven Jokers
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