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Article: Graf Brings New Dimension to Women's Tennis, Forcing Navratilova to Regroup
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- July 3, 1988
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Like her countryman Boris Becker, Steffi Graf has to be judged by
her own peculiar set of numbers. Superior athletes never play by the
book, and most end their careers effecting revisions to same.
The records will show that Graf won her first Wimbledon title
over Martina Navratilova in three sets, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, but she should
have won in two straight.
Becker and Graf both disdain what is called percentage tennis.
They go for their shots and pile up uncommon numbers in the "winners"
column; conversely, their unforced errors totals would make Bjorn
Borg blush with shame. Most of Graf's winners came on passing shots
which at times made Navratilova look statuesque. Navratilova will
have to ...