Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis: A Look Back at the Memorable 1999 French Open Fina- “such a cruel moment”

In a memorable showdown at the 1999 French Open, Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis engaged in a thrilling final that kept fans at the edge of their seats. The final scoreline of 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 favored Graf, marking her last Grand Slam singles triumph before her retirement later that year. Reflecting on this historic encounter in a 2009 documentary alongside Andre Agassi, Graf expressed her unique emotional state during the final. Instead of succumbing to the usual nerves, Graf found herself genuinely content and smiling as she graced the court for the ultimate clash.

Hingis had a remarkable start in the final, clinching the first set and serving for the championship at 5-4. However, the match’s dynamics took a sharp turn when Graf broke her Swiss opponent. Hingis resorted to using underarm serves, a tactic that irked both the crowd and Graf herself. Despite the unconventional strategy, Graf empathized with Hingis, acknowledging the desperation behind her actions.

As the French Open crowd grew increasingly hostile towards Hingis during the final set, the pressure proved too much for her, leading to tears at the end of the match. Graf described this moment as “cruel,” emphasizing the shared understanding among tennis players for the emotional rollercoaster they experience on the court. Such empathy extended to Hingis, as Graf expressed her sympathy for her opponent’s emotional ordeal.

The 1999 French Open final not only marked a significant moment in tennis history but also the last of the nine meetings between Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis. It was their sole encounter in a Grand Slam final, with Graf holding a 7-2 lead in their head-to-head matchups and winning all three of their Grand Slam clashes. This final remains etched in tennis lore as a testament to the emotional intensity and camaraderie within the sport.