In the annals of tennis history, the 1999 French Open final stands as a captivating chapter that witnessed Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis engage in a thrilling battle of skill and nerves. Graf emerged victorious with a scoreline of 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, in what turned out to be her final Grand Slam singles title as she bid adieu to the sport later that year. This pivotal moment in tennis history was revisited in a 2009 documentary featuring Graf and her husband, Andre Agassi, where Graf revealed her unique perspective on that monumental clash with Hingis in Paris.
Remarkably, Graf recalled an unusual sentiment that enveloped her during the final – a sense of happiness rather than the expected nervousness. She described a moment captured in a photograph, where she stood on the court with a faint smile, gazing at the crowd. In the midst of a championship match, she found herself in a state of unexpected contentment, defying the usual anxiety that plagues players in such high-stakes encounters.
The first set of the final saw Hingis assert herself, and she found herself serving for the championship at 5-4. However, the dynamics of the match shifted as Graf broke her opponent’s serve. Hingis resorted to an unconventional strategy, employing underarm serves, much to the chagrin of the crowd and even her opponent. Graf, however, displayed understanding for Hingis’ unorthodox tactics, recognizing the desperation that had taken hold of her opponent in that crucial moment.
As the final set unfolded, the French Open crowd’s hostility towards Hingis became palpable, and it ultimately took a toll on the Swiss player’s mental fortitude. The intense pressure and jeers from the crowd drove Hingis to tears as the final concluded. Graf empathized with her opponent, describing the moment as “cruel” and emphasizing the shared camaraderie among tennis players, where they feel for their adversaries despite the fierce competition.
The 1999 French Open final marked the culmination of a rivalry that spanned nine meetings between Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis. It was also the only time they clashed in a Grand Slam final. Graf maintained a dominant 7-2 head-to-head record over Hingis and remained undefeated against the Swiss player in Major tournaments. This historic contest remains etched in tennis lore as a testament to the enduring sportsmanship and unpredictability that define the sport.
