Steffi Graf fought a revengeful Monica Seles while her father Peter was jailed for tax fraud in Germany in what is deemed the most controversial US Open finals
Steffi Graf termed this win the biggest of her career.
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Steffi Graf-Monica Seles 1995 US Open final (Images via Sportskeeda, X)
The US Open has seen quite a few controversies in its 140+ years of existence. As the tournament gets underway for one more time, it is time to recall one of the most controversial finals played in the Grand Slam’s history which involved one of the most successful women’s tennis players of the Open Era, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles.
The 1995 US Open final between Graf and Seles had all the attention for two major reasons. First, Graf was facing Seles for the first time since one of her fans, namely Gunther Parche stabbed the latter around two years ago. Second, right when Graf was battling it out with Seles on the court, her father and manager, Peter Graf were in jail.
He was imprisoned over allegations of tax fraud. Peter had failed to pay taxes on $1.5 million of his daughter’s earnings. Throughout the tournament, Steffi Graf had to face questions about her father’s arrest.
There was one more reason that was troubling the German was her foot which Graf had to get X-rayed before D-day. Amid all this, she had to fight a revengeful Monica Seles who was in red-hot form. Not dropping a single set in lead to the final.
Steffi Graf defied all odds to win her fourth US Open title
Despite all the odds stacked against her, Steffi Graf came out on top, defeating Monica Seles in three sets. While Graf started the game on a high, winning the first set 7-6, she lost it in the second set, conceding it 0-6. However, the German was quick to recollect herself and clinch the third and final set 6-4.
Graf and Seles then exchanged a warm hug, leaving everyone at the arena baffled. Later, Steffi Graf also heaped praise on her opponent praising Seles for her remarkable comeback. “Absolutely,” Graf had said (via SI). “And it’s even more important to see her play that well and obviously enjoy herself and be…so at peace with herself. It’s so great to see that.”
The German had also acknowledged the questions about her father’s arrest and accepted that she would take the matter into her own hands despite of the fact that she did not much about it. The 22-time Grand Slam title winner then also admitted that this was indeed her biggest win.
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Ritesh Pathak
(2150 Articles Published)