Tennis legend Steffi Graf, often hailed as one of the greatest to ever grace the court, recently reflected on the time she won the Best Female Tennis Player ESPY Award in 1996 and 1997—a back-to-back recognition that she says went beyond mere accolades.
In a rare interview looking back at her career milestones, Graf opened up about what those moments meant in a time where she was not only battling the toughest competitors on the court but also balancing injuries, media scrutiny, and personal transformation.
“The ESPYs weren’t just about stats or titles,” Graf said. “They felt like a nod from the wider world, from people outside of tennis, who were saying, ‘We see you. We respect you.’ And that meant everything.”
Graf’s win in 1996 came off the heels of her incredible 1995 season, where she reclaimed the World No. 1 spot and took home three Grand Slam titles (French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open). Her dominance in that era was as undeniable as her grace under pressure.
In 1997, she repeated the feat—winning the ESPY again—despite the growing pressure of injuries and fierce competition from rising stars like Martina Hingis. Her resilience and ability to stay at the top inspired not only fellow athletes but a generation of young women dreaming of greatness.
“It wasn’t just my trophy. It belonged to my coaches, my family, and everyone who kept believing in me even when things got tough,” Graf said.
The ESPYs, hosted by ESPN and voted on by fans and experts alike, often reflect the cultural pulse of the sports world—and in the mid-’90s, Steffi Graf was at its heart. With her unmatched athleticism, powerful forehand, and quiet determination, she represented class, consistency, and courage.
Looking back, Graf doesn’t focus so much on the hardware.
“Trophies gather dust,” she laughed softly. “But moments like those? The recognition, the gratitude, the feeling that you’re doing something meaningful… that stays with you.”
Now retired from professional tennis, Steffi Graf’s legacy continues to shine, and her ESPY wins remain symbols of a career defined not only by numbers—but by the way she carried herself through every triumph and trial.
