Was Everything to Me”: Serena Williams Calls Steffi Graf the Greatest Tennis Player She Ever Watched
In a heartfelt and rare reflection on her early inspirations, 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has opened up about the tennis legend who shaped her dreams long before she became one herself: Steffi Graf.
In a new documentary-style interview airing on a popular sports network, Serena revealed that while many assume her idol was always Venus Williams or Billie Jean King, it was the German tennis icon Steffi Graf who captured her imagination as a young girl on the rise.
“Steffi was everything to me growing up,” Serena said. “She had the grace, the power, the speed—everything I dreamed of becoming one day.”
A Childhood Hero
Serena, who watched Graf dominate in the 1980s and ’90s, described being mesmerized by Steffi’s composure on court and her unmatched athleticism. Graf won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including a historic Golden Slam in 1988—winning all four majors and Olympic gold in the same year.
“She didn’t just win—she won with style. She made tennis look effortless,” Serena recalled. “I used to study her footwork, the way she moved. She never looked rattled, even under pressure. That had a big impact on me.”
Not Just an Idol—A Blueprint
While Serena would go on to surpass Graf’s Slam count in 2017, she never viewed her idol as a rival, even in legacy conversations. Instead, she insists that Graf’s influence helped pave the road for her own achievements.
“Steffi laid the blueprint. I wanted to walk that path, then make my own footprints. But I never stop looking back and honoring who first walked it.”
The Greatest She’s Ever Watched
In a sport filled with giants—Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Monica Seles, and modern stars like Iga Świątek and Naomi Osaka—Serena remains firm in her belief that Graf was the best she ever witnessed.
“I’ve played against legends. I’ve watched greatness unfold right in front of me. But Steffi? She was the greatest I ever watched. No doubt.”
Mutual Respect
While Graf has long since retired and prefers a private life with husband Andre Agassi, it’s known that the admiration between the two champions is mutual. In previous interviews, Graf praised Serena’s evolution from a raw, powerful teen into a mentally dominant, history-making icon.
“She’s not just a champion,” Graf once said of Serena. “She’s changed the face of the sport.”
A Legacy of Legends
With both athletes now retired, their legacies remain deeply intertwined—not just by numbers, but by the generational bridge of inspiration. For Serena Williams, her admiration for Steffi Graf is more than just fandom—it’s the root of her greatness.
“Before I was Serena, I was just a little girl watching Steffi Graf. She made me believe. And for that, I’ll always call her the greatest.”
