The most controversial French Open drama ever | Flashpoint

[@victoriachubb572]

I remember watching this match live. Absolutely gripping. A strong moral message: it takes more than just being good with a racket to win tennis matches. Endurance, grit and humility. Without saying a word Steffi taught this lesson on this day to the young Swiss Miss.

[@johniii8147]

It effectively ended Martina's singles career. Just couldn't handle the pressure and broke down.

[@theire483]

I more than likely watched it too, but I don't remember. I was really into tennis (since the 70s).

[@theire483]

Naw, it didn't. She played and won many times after that match. She always had a bad attitude though, and bad sportsmanship. What ended her career was the Williams' sisters. She said, te players are too big, why should I play anymore, if can't win. She said, Serena would never be a great player, she is too big and slow, and hits the ball all over the court.

[@carolineneisha]

@@theire483she wrote off Graf during this tournament. She dismissed both Williams sisters. Talk about getting it wrong (inclusive of her entitled attitude). Bencic trained with Hingis’ mother, and reminds me a lot of Martina, without the overt petulance (or the titles).

[@swatir2190]

I've watched this match and Hingis got whatever she got.

[@moyosoredada3109]

I still think this deserves a major documentary

[@jen-gv7tx]

this occurs in corporations, nonprofits, volunteering and do not think that it does not ripple effect and create bad karma.

[@mosreloaded]

I grew up crazy about Steffi..loved her humbleness's. And she was very pretty

[@ryannicholls702]

You know what would be nice? Some actual footage of the actual final FML

[@mike04574]

copyright

[@wheresbaby7783]

They had to pay for that genius

[@peterhammer4644]

the whole match is here on youtube

[@julianmallach348]

Greatest tennis game I have seen! After HIngis talking so much trash about her, Steffi came back from injury to shut her mouth for good. Absolutely brilliant!

[@williambunter3311]

How can it be rhe greatest game when young Martina had to play against not just the great Steffi but also against a hostile, bullying, disgusting crowd? The French crowd have always been a load of malicious bastards - they are known for it.

[@tyronevaldez-kruger5313]

Hingis was a once in a century talent that made tennis look ridiculousy effortless. A genius and a brat

[@paulkazakoff9231]

She ended up beating herself in that match.She was young and a bit silly.

[@santoshthapa8398]

Huh? Talking so much trash!???

[@tobiaskluke7094]

@@santoshthapa8398 She said before the final, that Steffi has lost her bite, is old and that her time is over. She even said she will win and prove that times have changed. And during 1997 and 1998, some people said Hingis was only so dominant because Graf was injured for nearly 12 months and Hingis did not like that (mostly because she never dominated Graf, her H2H is against Steffi is really poor, in 1998, she even lost one set 6:0 to Graf although being No. 1 and Steffi not being back at her best again).

[@pbworld7858]

As a Steffi fan, this was, by far, my favorite match. You could tell, for once, that she was over the moon at winning - something you didn't feel when she was much younger. And of course, the arrogance of Hingis throughout her short-lived singles career was off-putting.

[@indanekwaffles7074]

Well done. Really enjoyed the last third with the retrospective of each career after the final including their off-the-court lives after tennis. Nice touch.

[@roundglobesetter]

Thanks for the memories Steffi….. they were grand memories

[@ianrobinson4200]

This is the first tennis match I have strong memories of seeing live, a large part of why it became my favourite sport

[@jen-gv7tx]

played this and saw this behavior and then i quit.

[@martinwebb4897]

Graf was my all the time favourite player. And the player I would rank as the greatest of all time.

[@jamesng6929]

Regal ballerina of power and grace is graf!! And yet so humble with all those accomplishments!!!! Hingis is talented but lacking in power!!

[@Tim_the_Enchanter]

I liked Martina when she burst on the scene. A little attitude is not a bad thing. But Steffi was another matter entirely. Simply the best.

[@carrerau7138]

Martina‘s attitude WAS a bad thing. Seeing her cry made my day! 😂

[@scottmallory298]

Astonishing seeing the shot of her comeback. She was wearing a completely different outfit and warming up with a doubles partner at 7.02. No wonder it unnerved Hingis.

[@carrerau7138]

That was in 2009. 10 years after Steffi's retirement.

[@jess4metoo]

As I recall Hingis referred to Graf as “old”. Total disrespect for someone who had done so much for the sport.

[@marekwojtowicz3005]

Strange how she continued into her 30s on a comeback trail and actually winning some. No need to apologize Martina, you have always been superficial.

[@sophiachavez3377]

Graf had the nerve to ask Martina when she was going to retire as they were shaking hands after Martina beat her to win her 8th Wimbledon. Martina answered that 9 was her favorite number and won her 9th the next year. Graf was a smart aleck. She deserved to get her own medicine from the other smart aleck.

[@benstephenson9732]

​@sophiachavez3377 That's a load of shit, she wasn't being a smart arse at all, she was admiring Navratilovas records. She even said 'haven't you got enough trophies' and they both laughed. She also said Martina was her biggest rival, and that she really admired her game, and that their match in 1986 Wimbledon taught her more about tennis than any other. Graf was a classy lady. You've created your own narrative there.

[@Uns_Maps_8]

And nowadays she is 43

[@carrerau7138]

@@sophiachavez3377 That's how bitter Steffi haters are operating.... Comparing that tongue-in-cheek remark by young Steffi (which was an acknowledgment of Martina's strength) with Hingis putting down Steffi with this. "It's a faster, more athletic game. She is old now. ... Her time has passed." Do people like you have no shame?

[@pasimaenpaa2360]

I just say that never ever underestimed GS winner. That was the biggest mistake. Hingis has every chance to win the match. And, furthermore, this match result wasn't anything to do with one point during the game. Hingis has won 1st set and leading 2-0 2nd set. No need to blame crowd or one point. Btw, steffi could have played easily in top level few more years at least. She was a legend already in women's tennis.

[@yahyaputra7257]

When Graf has a peak performance, Hingis would not get any Grand Slam title. Hingis became number 1 due to Graf's absence in Tennis.

[@beaanchor]

Graf became number 1 due to seles absence in Tennis on 1993。

[@yahyaputra7257]

@@beaanchor Seles became no. 1 because Graf had family problem and affected to her focus for her game.

[@MrDonanthony]

@@beaanchor Graf was #1 before Seles even became a pro. Mid 1987 to early 1991.

[@sportstravel4129]

That's debatable. One could argue that Graf reached number because Navratilova and Evert passed their peak. One could argue that hadn't Seles been stabbed Graf wouldn't have won 11 more majors or stayed number 1 for that long. One could argue Graf didn't face the Williams Sisters at their peak.

[@MrDonanthony]

@@sportstravel4129 What's not debatable is the fact that Graf was #1 from mid 1987 to early 1991. Chris Evert may have peaked by the mid 80's, but Navratilova was still going strong and beat Graf at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open finals in 1987. I'd say Navratilova was still at her peak. Graf just got better by the beginning of 1988. One could also say that the Williams sisters didn't face Graf at her peak. The last year of Graf's career, she beat the top 3 players in the world to take the French Open. No one had ever done that in open history. When it comes to the absence of Seles, you may be right. But we'll never know. What I do know is that Seles was already having binge eating and weight issues after the "93" Australian Open. But like I said, we'll never know because know one has a crystal ball to say for sure.

[@lingolarker9318]

Steffi has always been my favourite great female tennis player. Absolute class and grace.

[@stephenhosking7384]

I'll never forget her first slam - the Australian Open in 1997. She was clearly in a class of her own, and the winning smile was something special, and I thought "She'll be on top for ten years", so was surprised when she seemed to disappear after just three years. Now I know what happened.

[@sho9214]

Monica Seles is her biggest threat. We all know Graf was lucky because her fans stabbed Seles who ended Graf domination for few years!

[@carrerau7138]

Wasn't she stabbed?

[@stephenhosking7384]

​@@carrerau7138 That was Monica Seles, who was stabbed by a crazy fan of Steffi Graf. 1993. In this video, we see how Martina Hingis was defeated by Graf in 1999 and how that defeat broke her spirit.

[@carrerau7138]

@@stephenhosking7384 But how to explain Hingis’s decline? Seles fans always tell me things about trajectories.

[@alessaschmitz5847]

Just 18?! (almost 19) Youth is not a fucking privilege and not a pass for arrogance and stupidity. Karma was a bitch.

[@stevyyjay85]

Also saying that a 28/29 y.o. tennis player is old... Those are the peak years for a professional athlete. The problem that Steffi had with her body at the time... comes from the fact that she became a professional tennis player in 1982 at the age of 12 and during the wooden racket era. Graf ended the 1982 season ranked at #124 at the age of 13.

[@alazjaw.8968]

it is actually

[@carrerau7138]

@@stevyyjay85 There is absolutely no evidence that Steffi's patella tendon problems had anything to do with her becoming a pro at age 13 (not 12). Anyway, she played only one match on the WTA tour in 1982 (lost to Tracy Austin in October).

[@GrantSterley-k9j]

Born in a gutter..? only way to express yourself ? Try to get your two brain cells working ..

[@deusexmachina9776]

@@stevyyjay85 peak years for players in 24/25 - at 28 a player is near the end of their career in modern sports, 25 years ago 28 was the end of their career - sports science has come a long way.

[@brentmorris736]

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Pride and arrogence has toppled many over the centuries.

[@iamshadowbanned699]

I read somewhere that the problem with Hingis, was that she had the head of a champion but not the heart of one.

[@celestialspartan7977]

People make mistakes...Hingis was not from Mars....some reconcile...some others regret....life goes on....nobody is squeaky clean

[@deedledave9826]

Really great rundown of a great French final. Would have been nice to have included some footage of the match, but understand it was probably copyright infringement.

[@pasimaenpaa2360]

If you want to see that match, just go youtube. You will find that. If you just want to see it.

[@yourstruly1234]

It takes more than talent to be a champion for long period..Steffi had terrific temperament and discipline to go with her sheer talent..

[@franciscoesteves1561]

And having your rival out of the picture helps aswell

[@roundglobesetter]

It was her humility….. she was great and humble…. No controversies

[@markuse3472]

@@franciscoesteves1561 It was seles's end at the top, no ones fault. It happens in every, mark that well, EVERY sport, where an athlete or team are at the top for a couple of years and then are not. Steffi never went away and she was at the lead against seles H2H before the paper cut and after the buffet.

[@franciscoesteves1561]

@@markuse3472 selles was winning every match before the stabbing. Graff was five years years older and had a head start on the rivalry. However, Selles was already dominating the tour for two years and had already won the A. Open in the year she got stabbed. Injuries happen. Stabbing is a whole different level. Selles showed a lot of courage to even coming back on court. After that, and after her father death, she went a down spiral (understandably). Even after all that, she went on to win another grand slam, being far from what she was and was going to be as a tennis player. So, there is no way in hell, Graff wins twenty and so grand Slams with Selles around. She was great. Selles was just better. And the person who ataked her know it.

[@carrerau7138]

@@franciscoesteves1561 You mean Serena and Henin/Venus?

[@tabscoobrealestate6061]

Steffi Graf fue una gran dominadora de las pistas de tenis, 22 GS, GOLDEN SLAM, récord de semanas como numero 1, termino con una gran era de Evert-Navrt, demostró ser una jugadora única, discreta, humilde y tomando su papel de líder mundial con total naturalidad, extraño seriamente a Graf, su despedida fue como una puñalada, junto a la despedida de Gaby Sabatini, quisiera una figura parecida a ella. i love Steffi

[@joeyconvery2055]

Monica beat up Steffi pretty good. 😂

[@kedrprao]

If Monica Seles tragedy didn't happen, today we wouldn't consider Stefi as a legend. Stefi would be remembered more like how we remember Justin Henin. Great players but far from legendary status. Seles injury helped Stefi!!

[@carrerau7138]

@@kedrprao When Seles was stabbed Steffi had - already won 11 slams and the Golden Slam - won 3 of 5 matches against #1 Seles (2 wins were real routs) - narrowed Seles‘s lead in ranking points by 63 %. Without the stabbing Steffi surely would have won Wimbledon 94. And I try to imagine which slam in 1993-99 Steffi would not have been able to win even if the stabbing had not happened. Can‘t come up with even one. Any ideas? Never forget that only Steffi‘s slump in 1990-92 (caused by off-court problems) enabled Seles to win so many slams and get to #1. Would never have happened otherwise. Steffi of 1988/89 was better than Seles ever was - and Steffi was still improving!

[@carrerau7138]

@@joeyconvery2055 Seles lost to over-the-hill Steffi in the semis, you clown…

[@joeyconvery2055]

@carrerau7138 Monica mopped the court with Steffi...Steffi admitted it. 😆 🤣

[@petostacy1771]

Hingis never won a slam after.... Graf playing at 80 per cent...Graf would anhiliate her at her best

[@DonLee1980]

Steffi Graf really is the real GOAT imo. She won on all 4 slams, a total of 22, and all by the age of 30. Absolutely astonishing.

[@markuse3472]

@@nikitakhatri5773 Yes, WTA, but also equaling the ATP as GOATs.

[@rrubio6660]

Probably fewer grand slams if Monica wasn't stabbed by one of Stef's deranged fans.

[@kennethwilliams3182]

Steffi dad probably paid that guy to stab seles.., goat my ass.

[@kennethwilliams3182]

Serena's 23 slams will always be better than Graf. Graf needed help with her buddy to hurt seles.

[@markjames1127]

@@kennethwilliams3182my asshole; 7 were thanks to Richard

[@marianagaoka9687]

Ash Barty reminds me of Steffi, very unassuming, humble, totally deserve to be #1 and doesn't let the media take the best of her.

[@peterphilstacey4698]

but would have no chance against Graf, womens tennis is such a poor standard now, with no real stars,

[@johniii8147]

She's already retired.

[@u216]

She is retired.

[@deedledave9826]

Definitely some similarities, but Barty was more at ease with the public and media. Graf was an aloof creature, a legend who preferred to be left alone and didn't love the responsibilities being a tennis superstar entailed. Barty seemed comfortable with the media and the fans, more open and at ease communicating with the media.

[@DavidJohnson-yq4nz]

Not the slightest similarity in any way

[@zeddeka]

Bit of a tricky subject and not often talked about, but there was speculation that Hingis was having her period during this match (having to leave the court to change at one point). Some sharp eyed viewers spotted her holding a sanitary towel at one point. It would go some way to explaining why she had such difficulties during this match. Steffi herself had similar problems during the 1989 french open final and was quite open about how menstrual cramps had been a big problem for her during that match.

[@HaleG9]

she had a constant period - in her head.

[@secrets.295]

Every women have periods. That is just not an excuse. She acted like a brat and she deserves the boo she receives. Should be noted also that after this she became a little bit more humble.

[@broncoguy4862]

@@secrets.295 She also never won another Major after this match, and was so damaged she lost in the first round of Wimbledon less than a month after this was played. Graf OTH made the Wimbledon final, losing to Davenport after defeating Venus Williams in the semis.

[@zeddeka]

@@secrets.295 What a brainless comment. And some women are affected by it very much worse than others. Also, not every woman is playing a very grueling elite athlete match at the age of 18 in front of billions of people, under intense pressure. Chris Evert talked about how during her 1979 Wimbledon semi final, both she and Goolagong were having their period and that's why they played so badly, but it affected Goolagong much more than her.

[@dranchd6571]

She was 6-4, 2-0 up, so no period excuse. She derailed herself by unnecessarily questioning a call that went against her, and crossing to the opponents side. She engaged in a prolonged argument that set the crowd against her. Stop saying she was only 18, she was old enough to be arrogant and offensive, and she was old enough to face the consequences. Her mother should've raised her better.

[@stephenmeitai7622]

It's not about crowds. Don't excuse Hingis. Graf has always comeback from almost defeated.

[@grinchoi1]

I didn't know Hingis had such an arrogant personality. Steffi is a legend!

[@al1976-v7m]

Hingis has her flaws, as we all do. However, one has to take her ubringing and early move to Switzerland into account. I read an interesting piece about her in a Swiss paper recently. She was never really popular in her adopted home country. Her mother's communist upringing (where women worked and were considered equal to men in many ways) plus her ambition to coach her daughter to forge a career in tennis because it would allow her to be independent and have a good life contrasted with the traditional and rather conservative Swiss values. Hingis was a feminist and didn't bow down to societal expectations. Of course it is a thin line to being entitled and i admit she sometimes crossed it, especially when she was younger.

[@poluticon]

She was a teenager and one of the best players in the world

[@carrerau7138]

@@al1976-v7m Hingis always had an arrogant and entitled manner. THAT was the reason the Swiss never quite warmed to her. Everything else are excuses.

[@tabscoobrealestate6061]

Grave error subestimar a una Leyenda como Steffi Graf, aunque Hingis tenia el num. 1, Graf ya tenia 21 GS y 5 RG y algo mas era experta en revertir partidos!

[@spiderliliez]

Hahah she was entertaining, but damn Martina back then was a total brat. I watched that game, and in the end, it was just so satisfying to see Martina humbled to pieces. 😅

[@funkyguy99]

Hingis was only no.1 in Graf's absence whilst she was sidelined due to her knee surgery.

[@dropsht]

Uhmmmm 1997 to 2000??? Hingis was a great tactician but very arrogant. The Williams werent in their peak yet. Her number 1 ranking is legit! Still unlikeable... -Mary Pierce fan

[@funkyguy99]

@@dropsht nope. She had a poor record against Graf even in her decline years. Graf didn't compete 1997 Aussie open due to the knee and remained absent for 6months which allowed Hingis ascendency to number 1. It was during the first 6 months of Graf's absence where she capitalised and solidified herself as number 1 and without any real challenges. Hingis' reign as number 1 is very much debatable. Much like people would question Graf's GOAT status had Monica Seles not been stabbed. But I guess it's just one of those coulda, woulda, shoulda.

[@sportstravel4129]

LOL. I can play this game too. Graf only became number one because Navratilova and Evert retired. Seles was stabbed. The Williams sisters haven't peaked yet and so on and so on.

[@funkyguy99]

@@sportstravel4129 actually Graf surpassed Navratilova and Evert whilst they were both number 1 & 2 and well before they retired so that's not really an argument. Graf proved that she would have been clearly number 1 against Hingis had she not been sidelined by beating Hingis in the 1999 French Open final which was months before she had retired and well past her prime. Also Graf had a 6-4 head to head lead against Seles even when Seles was number 1 and before the stabbing. Seles may have a better record in the slams against Graf but overall Graf was still beating Seles in her prime so perhaps if you tallied their head to head had Seles not been stabbed, Graf could still be ahead of Seles. But I agree that it certainly opens up to debate and much worthy discussion.

[@sportstravel4129]

@@funkyguy99 Not retired but Navratilova and Evert were passed their prime. The argument has validity. As for Seles, she had overtaken Graf and the stabbing happened when she number 1 and in her prime. As for Graf and Hingis, most of Graf’s wins against her were when Hingis was an up and coming player not really on equal footing. The 1999 French Open doesn't say anything because of so many factors. Plus, Hingis had beaten Graf in Tokyo a couple of months before the French. Also, 14 year old Hingis (before her prime) defeated Graf in her prime in Rome.

[@GH-oi2jf]

Steffi was the greatest. Hingis sounded like an entitled brat.

[@iceman1125]

I dont see anything wrong with her statement she was smiling and just happy that she was no 1

[@kjprice1443]

You need class, humility and talent to be a real champion, like Steffi and Federer. Hingis just won a few tournaments, and then her pride got the better of her. Too bad...

[@david_fl507]

graf beat the #1, the #2, and the #3 ranked players on this road to the championship

[@di942842]

Oh I remember watching this. Martina was such a brat!! Those underhand serves were especially petty. If there was one game I so wanted Steffi to win, it was this. Just coz Martina was so arrogant in the early sets and just bratty in the last sets. I think Andre also won in the mens singles and shortly after their wins they started dating.

[@siddharthsridhar8521]

What an incredibly well made video! It captures all the glamour and excitement of tennis and its wonderful historical trends and personalities!

[@trwent]

Thw whole "golden slam" thing is really not fair to Rod Laver, who won two Grand Slams but had no opportunity to win a Golden Slam due to tennis not being a part of the Olympics until long after he retited.

[@carrerau7138]

1962 and 1970 were no Olympic years, kid….

[@trwent]

@carrerau7138 Yes, but during the years he was not allowed to play in the majors, he could have won a Golden Slam if tennis was in the Olympics.

[@carrerau7138]

@@trwent Every pro might have done this in 1964 or 1968, not only Laver.

[@trwent]

@carrerau7138 Theoretically, yes, but as Laver had already won a Grand Slam previously, he would have been by far the most likely.

[@carrerau7138]

@@trwent Still no reason to question the importance of Steffi’s 1988 Golden Slam.

[@albertmontoya6413]

The golden slam which includes the olympics

[@Dan-vo7vc]

This video doesn't really show how incredibly awful the French Open crowd was. I wanted Steffi to win, too... but the rudeness of the crowd would've made almost any player lose. It was distasteful.

[@carrerau7138]

IMO, the crowd was surprisingly neutral (considering among other things Martina’s homophobic insults towards Frenchwoman Amélie Mauresmo) until Hingis started to behave badly. Derisive smirks when Steffi hit a good shot, racket abuse, walking over on the other side of the net. Only then the crowd made abundantly clear whom they wanted to win and whom they wanted to get humiliated. The French hate classlessness and love grace, elegance, humility. There are other crowds which even cheer classlessness; each country is different.

[@justinseegmiller4807]

Yeah I do agree the crowd was over the top, but then again the French crowd is kinda known for rudeness.

[@massimomari8449]

She is the only tennis player to win the grand slam and the gold Olimpic medal 🎖️

[@squidjames7735]

lol

[@sophiachavez3377]

Since tennis was not in the Olympics until Graf’ s era, it was impossible for Martina or Chris to win a gold medal.

[@carrerau7138]

@@sophiachavez3377 Martina never won 4 slams in one year. won 3 slams only twice (in 1983 and 1984). Evert even never won more than 2 slams in one year.

[@Namath1000]

Steffi Graf was 100% class 100% of the time. For Hingis, I think it all came too fast and she got her comeuppance that day.

[@marka1422]

What I remember, too, besides her comeuppance at the French Open, is her first-round match at Wimbledon a few weeks after that. Hingis lost the first round in an embarrassing match against someone ranked in the high 100s. I thought at the time that it was poetic justice for what she did at the French Open.

[@thebigmonstaandy6644]

No.she was not class after losing against Seles in 93

[@carrerau7138]

@@thebigmonstaandy6644 What did she do then?

[@kayjay12341]

Steffi is the GOAT and hingis made the mistake of showing zero respect to the greatest of all time. Thinking she was the new best. Well that didn't work. Steffi has the grace and temperament without the arrogance.

[@squidjames7735]

lol

[@ClemsonTiger75]

Even with her arrogance, I always loved "The Smiling Assassin" Martina Hingis. Amazing tennis that you have to respect. Thanks for the video.

[@david_fl507]

i watched this live. holy! always a graf fan.

[@boybawang1981]

I always said that she was on coke…and years later Martina admitted it…

[@YourJellyFishAteMyTV]

Tbf I never liked Martina after her comments about Amelie, plus calling steffi old and past it was a huge mistake... I won't lie, but the crowd hating that under serve was everything

[@Mom-USMCRichardUSMCChristopher]

❤️⚘️❤️ A bit arrogant? Really beyond that. Unnecessary. ⚘️❤️⚘️

[@stevehughes1510]

She blew it well and truly.........so it goes. Steffi was a fighter and humble.

[@secrets.295]

Hingis has a lot of potentials, the only problem she had was her arrogance. She just feels like she was already that good and there is no need to improve herself. Once the Williams Sisters reach their true potential she was a goner lol. If only she has a bit more humility and realize that maybe I am not the best with this type of game I am playing and maybe I should try a different play style. She probably would have won more Grand Slams. Also she slap an official? Like wtf. She was just a mean horrible person. She should have been booed even louder when she came back crying to the court. Just because she was young doesn't give her a ticket to act like an A-hole.

[@carrerau7138]

Hingis actually coped very well with the Willies, is 17-17 win/loss against them.

[@secrets.295]

@@carrerau7138 But Hingis reached her peak performance a few years earlier than the Williams sisters. She was already a world no 1 player by 1997 while Venus had just debut on the same year, while Serena didn't even debut until 1998. Once the Williams sisters reached their peak they were beating her almost everytime they played against her.

[@carrerau7138]

@@secrets.295 Venus played her first WTA tournament in 1994 in Oakland. Played several tournaments in 1995/96. Serena played her first WTA tournament in 1997 in Moscow. Even from 2000 on an often injured Hingis was only 2-5 H2H against Venus (1-2 in slams) and 3-4 H2H (1-1 in slams) against Serena.

[@secrets.295]

@@carrerau7138 Serena didn't even reached her peak until 2002. And yes, 2-5 speaks volume that the majority of Hingis wins which is 9, is before Venus even reached her true potential. Hingis game would have been brilliant if she played in the 80s, early 90s. Not good against power players.

[@carrerau7138]

@@secrets.295 The majority of Williams wins against Hingis occurred when Hingis‘ injury problems had started. Peak Hingis could make brainless ball bashers look silly. She was Roberta Vinci on steroids (not literally!).

[@michaeldslipp1078]

Martina Hingis is unfairly maligned here. That crowd was brutal. I remember she recovered very well indeed for the trophy ceremony. Very gracious speech. I wish it were uploaded somewhere.

[@al1976-v7m]

It is actually, the whole game is available on the Roland Garros account i believe. I rewatched it s while ago.

[@sophiachavez3377]

Hingis, gracious? She left the court in tears and had to be brought back by her mother.

[@johannaude4429]

Really??

[@StephenWong14]

I can't believe Hingis is only 1 year older than Federer

[@paulbreheny4815]

Martina got ger just desserts ...... Arrogancy is such a bad quality ,,, Steffi was regal. Cream floats to the top always .......................

[@marilou20091]

not only cream floats to the top lol

[@ErikShen2907]

The 2 living corpses that come out trying to solve whats going on during the match!!! LOL I'M DYING

[@theire483]

I've never liked Hingis from the moment she stepped on court. She's a bad sportsman, has a bad attitude to boot.

[@thomasumina9825]

Graf was the greatest ever. The 1988 season, the golden slam, was the most dominant season of any sport I’ve ever witnessed.

[@sho9214]

Monical Seles if not attacked by Graf’s crazy fans is better than Graf

[@jusupdjidjimidjimilovic3677]

@@sho9214 Exactly. Monika Seleš become better then Graf and had still many things to improve. But knife in back prevent her and destroyed whole carrier.

[@fraerot]

Yes, especially when Seles was sliced in Hamburg by a crazy Graf fan and he didn't do not a single day in prison. Seles was better no Q about that

[@craigwynn3956]

She was not the greatest ever A lady named Monica had her measure in every way A fool Graf fan ended that certainty. Also Serena ?????

[@sho9214]

@Nearly Solvent it’s the truth. We all know Graf came back winning grand slams after Seles injured and traumatised from the attack . Face it

[@konrad4855]

I really enjoyed this video

[@marianagaoka9687]

Very informative and unbiased.

[@marianagaoka9687]

Being that good at anything at the age of 18 years old would make anyone arrogant. They are teenagers. Steffi understood that and tried to overlook the incident during the trophy ceremony at RG.

[@scswp6945]

@Max E Hingis had absolutely no reason to be arrogant at this point. She had a great year in 1997, but in winning those slams, she didn’t face Graf at all (Graf was clearly injured for the early part of the season and ended up missing all tournaments after the French Open). In 1998, Graf missed parts of the year with injuries and Hingis was beaten in three of the slams (as she was in 1999). Hingis surely had sufficient intelligence to place her slam wins in context? Here, by mid-1999, her arrogance was wildly misplaced. If Graf had not been injured in 1997, I very much doubt Hingis would have won three slams that year. A better team around her would have ‘framed’ her victories more realistically, I think. This may have made her more determined to work harder and improve. I think her game actually regressed slightly after 1997.

[@MrBjorn6]

@@scswp6945 Graf was arrogant at 16, when losing to Navratilova at 86 Usopen, her comments sound exactly like Hingis stated against Graf.

[@scswp6945]

@@MrBjorn6 What did Graf say at the 1986 US Open?

[@Mark9208p]

@Max E compared to the imbecilic Serena, Steffi is Mother Theresa.

[@secrets.295]

I remember The Williams Sisters, Davenport and all the girls from that era was very arrogant. But they never say stuff like "She is old". That's not arrogant, that is down right rude and lacking humbleness. No matter how arrogant you are, you should never throw dirt at the Greatest Player Ever in history at that time. Age do played a factor, as Hingis and all those girls I mentioned started to become more humble as they grow old. But still doesnt give u a pass to throw dirt to people.

[@prozac623]

The crowd wasn't being brutal. Hingis was arrogant and disrespectful of her peers and the game itself. Hingis got what she deserved.

[@williambunter3311]

Let's hope you get what you deserve you wretched mysogonist! Why don't you grow up?

[@prozac623]

@@williambunter3311 Lol!!!

[@williambunter3311]

@@prozac623 Yawn

[@Emolga6274]

LOL she told Lindsey “do you want to serve or I’ll break you” that is savage . Too bad she let the French crowd ruin her . One thing about macenroe, no matter how much they bood him, he didn’t give a flying fck

[@Gitfiddle]

Pretty much every tennis fan was blasting Martina since the presser before the match and of course for her behavior during the match. I thought this was too for some time. Now I see a kid who was scared to death and reacted poorly out of immense pressure, inexperience, and immaturity.

[@anggungunara]

Thanks for being one of very few sensible comments here. As an adult after her come back, Hingis stays short of being a totally likeable player. But trashing the 18-year old Hingis, a girl who had everything coming too quickly for her without having enough time or guidance to prepare, is very inconsiderate. I too had no sympathy towards her behaviour at that time, but now having a silly teen in the house myself, I saw it in a different light.

[@saram3152]

That’s why I am really happy that many, especially young, players now get different forms of psychological guidance! Professional sport is very difficult to handle emotionally, there’s a lot pressure and it’s very easy to give into all that. Tantrums are not really uncommon but they do not blow out of proportion like that anymore. While Martina’s behaviour was definitely wrong she did not deserve the audience distracting her like that. Glad to see she seems to have learned from that situation though! It also shows that sport is more than your physical abilities and skills but also the mental strength and focus which is equally as important

[@isabellasmith8377]

So much technical brilliance but poor emotional training.i still believe that parents have to step aside as the main Coach. Spoiling a child at home also extends into the courts

[@troycambo]

Sounds like Hingis was just honest. I’d rather hear those honest opinions than the pc cr ap we get from players these days..

[@saram3152]

You can be honest without being arogant though! We have to take into account her young age but still, you can express the exact same idea in a more polite way! There is nothing wrong with being confident or even a little sassy but you won’t win over many people being disrespectful and straight up mean at times

[@Ineddiblehulk]

Two players have destroyed a career with a single shot. Graf’s backhand passing shot here against Hingis, and Serena’s forehand against Sharapova at the AO in 2005.

[@carrerau7138]

Yeah! I have rewatched that point at 4-6 4-5 15-15 maybe a hundred times!! People often asked, where is Steffi’s topspin backhand. It was there when she needed it!! 😍

[@wonderlandian8465]

Sharapova went on to win slams and become world no1 after 2005 tho...not equivalent

[@Ineddiblehulk]

@@wonderlandian8465 she was never able to come close to beating Serena again. Serena broke her mentally with that one shot, and she never recovered.

[@gersonsantos5416]

What a career would've been only if.... She would've easily gotten to 15 major 10 more doubles who knows Williams sisters would have to dethrone her .... Again just another should've could've would've.

[@GottdieEhre]

After this match Hingis never won a title at the Major's... Btw: Graf was the only player male or female to win the so called "Super Slam" within one year: WTA Championships in November 1987, the Grand Slam 1988 and the Olympic Gold Medal September 1988.

[@karstenhanel8481]

Hingis was arrogant in her early years

[@Stiitchjones]

She was young and cocky, but the 2 go hand in hand sometimes, you mellow out when you get older. I for one thought she was cute and good at the same time.

[@tobiasgoldman]

Hi gis still had a great créer though with 5 GS titles and 43 titles. As well as being ranked no 1 in both doubles and singles.

[@jujumusique1305]

Ball was in. Martina let the poor call derail her and this cost her the match. She was up a set and a break.

[@cyrocyanide]

Beautiful video! Really funny and informative xD

[@astragalusson]

Of course, it's Martina Hingis's own mistake to lose her cool that badly during a finale game, especially when she's far ahead. But, to be fair, that ball she was arguing was obviously way in and the umpire was checking a completely unrelated mark that's 2 meters away from where the ball hit. That was ridiculous.

[@rolandlastname5532]

Also, it seemed that Hingis lost a few other points by bad umpire calls earlier in the match. Critics of Hingis may not have played tournaments themselves, I guess

[@broncoguy4862]

Bad calls were part of the game back then. Just ask McEnroe. But it's no excuse for breaking the rules, and Hingis was correctly penalized.

[@carrerau7138]

The ball was out, get your eyes examined!

[@us-Bahn]

Hingis lost more than a disputed call, she lost the crowd.

[@astragalusson]

@@us-Bahn As far as I know, she LOST the disputed call. The ball looked in, but it's called out. She disputed the call and the umpire went there to check the ball's mark on the surface which was the standart in those days when the call is disputed at Roland Garros. The umpire went to the line and consulted with the line umpire but they looked a little confused and they seemed to be looking for the mark in the wrong place, a meter or even more away from where the ball actually dropped. I'm guessing they said they couldn't spot the mark and as a result didn't overturn the call, but Hingis was disappointed and went to Graf's side of the court and found the correct mark herself, of course in her opinion and went back to talk to the umpire to check the mark again but the umpire refused. I believe she lost another point as a penalty for passing to the other side. I believe then she asked for court marshalls to intervene but they seemed to side with the umpire because on paper the umpire did the right things and they said it's not Hingis' place to go and find the markherself and she can't insist on what's the right mark or not. But, I'm sure Hingis was saying "the mark is there, she looked at the wrong place" but in the end, Hingis gained nothing from the dispute and the drama. She lost the disputed point, she lost an extra point as a penalty and she lost the crowd. She should have kept her cool and accept a point loss, especially because she had a set and at hand and a break on the 2nd set. She couldn't handle the extra pressure caused by this drama and the negative reaction of the crowd for the rest of the game and lost the 2nd set despite having a championship point and lost the 3rd set easily. But, that said, I still believe the umpires should have done a better job and find the right mark in the first place. Even if they might still have decided the ball was out (it could be out, although it looks in to me on the old tv footage) or they might have decided "inconlusive evidence" to overturn the call, Hingis wouldn't feel unfairly treated and the drama wouldn't have happened if they checked the right place. As I said, it doesn't justify Hingis's later actions and doesn't take away Graf's achievement as umpire mistakes are a part of the game (especially in that era) and it's the players' job to deal with these situations and not lose their cool over just a point.

[@billtruttschel]

Why didn't you show any clips of the match?

[@minonaru3918]

wow wow wow!!!! one of the best documentary I have never watched for years!!!

[@ENDWOKEDEGENERACY]

This is ridiculous. Hingis never had a bad reputation prior to this match. Painting the completely wrong image here. The French fans were going for the underdog and long time fan favourite Graf. Wasn’t because of any ill will towards Hingis. This is poor reporting trying to alter the perception of a time past.

[@dianenorman3209]

The Karen of tennis.

[@machikr]

Oh boy. Now I see why. I was startled to see why Hingis was so temperamental when I waited in a long line to get her autograph when she visited Korea. The line was long, but we were her fans. We were standing under the sun and she was sitting in the shades. She often displayed such angelic smiles, which masked how short-tempered she really was.

[@stonew1927]

Just because she was temperamental on the court doesn't mean she was necessarily that way off it. Instead of questioning her "angelic smiles masking how short tempered she really was" you should be grateful that she was patient and generous with her fans.

[@machikr]

@@stonew1927 The moment she barked at us, I went home. I ended up not getting her autograph. There was no point getting it when she hated giving it.

[@carrerau7138]

@@stonew1927 Hingis simply had a bad character. There are lovely and there are ugly characters everywhere, why not in tennis. For every Steffi you have a Hingis, for every Sabatini you have a Serena. It is the same with fans. So every player gets the fans they deserve.

[@machikr]

@@stonew1927 Tennis players in general tend to be incredebly nice with signing autographs because they know how much they can inspire kids. I still remember the moment Anna Kournikova signed on the ball I streched to her at the U.S. Open stand. It was a moment I realized I could perhaps reach an amazing level someday. Rod Laver was the best. He would even ask my name and then put "Dear [ ]" when I spotted and asked him among the spectators. Such voluntary act of kindness lives on the kid's heart forever, even though the celebrity would forget 5 minutes later. With that said, I do think Hingis was a Mozart of tennis, one of a kind player who played with "one more dimension." Now she has her own daughter; when she lines to get someone's autograph for her daughter, perhaps she looks at the world with a different perspective. We all influence one another. After all, Hingis was named after a tennis legend as well. Hingis had - and still has - the power to inspire and impact so many lives with her kindness and generosity.

[@stonew1927]

@@machikr Well you didn't say that in your original comment. I would have done the same . . .

[@PNETriffid]

Since when has serving underarm been 'unsporting'? Is it anymore unsporting than a big, physical player using a booming serve?

[@carrerau7138]

That underarm serve was meant to say "I don't care anymore, take your trophy, Steffi!" It was the middle finger towards Steffi and the crowd.

[@francisdavebaliling6931]

That’s why you never mess with the GOAT. If Martina has had the same silent demeanor as Steffi, she would have been unstoppable.

[@cambed71]

you mean being a silent cheat? Steffi was a cheat and Martina was robbed

[@markuse3472]

@@cambed71 If Steffi cheated, then everyone in tennis has also cheated, including whoever your favorite is or are.

[@carrerau7138]

@@cambed71 Where did Steffi cheat, Yankee boy?

[@kennethn3179]

Martina Higgis was fun to watch. What a cuttie! ❤😎

[@louistamone7528]

This finished martina Hingis

[@OdelinSerrano-zu5fo]

I love Serena! She's done more for ladies tennis than anyone else -in terms of popularity. Steffi is the GOAT! She did all her legendary performances by 31, winning 22 Grandies, Olympic gold, etc., When she retired so young.

[@carrerau7138]

There never was a more popular player than Steffi. She would win any popularity poll even today, 25 years after her retirement. Even though most millennials were to young to follow her career.

[@Emolga6274]

Everyone hated Serena

[@karmicobsession1636]

@@Emolga6274lies

[@Frank-xn8bs]

The irony is: everything she said is true. Those are the actual unspoken rules that followed. Most players know that and follow them, while putting a mask of official policies. Martina Higgins was just honest.

[@CW-rx2js]

People have forgotten all this...Martina hingis was awful and not a good role model at all....people accuse Djokovic and say he's a bad person, but he never says anything even close to this and never bad mouths anyone

[@haroldsmyth6685]

Djoko can say pretty much what he wants now without reproach. Record says it all

[@abdullahsuherman2186]

Hingis is not graf's rival... graf's rivals are navratilova, seles & sabatini 🤔

[@Jerry-hp5sf]

Hingis was a spoiled brat.

[@ddiesel1836]

quit mentioning "she was only 18"

[@jgc1077]

Still, Hingis had a sexy, bad-girl vibe.

[@carrerau7138]

Steffi had a sexy, good-girl vibe. No idea what is supposed to be sexy about a bad girl like Chucky.

[@nahidamoukoury8987]

@@carrerau7138 Hingis is not at all a bad girl. She is more a MEAN GIRL. Bad girls have more rebels deamenor. Mean girls as Hingis have more bitchy attitudes

[@danielkirkby3601]

She was silly, however only at the French would a crowd act like this

[@carrerau7138]

American crowds are far worse.

[@jayfielding1333]

Martina should have won that match - everyone knows that. Right until she crumbled, she was dominating Graf. Even forehand to forehand. I do believe what happened did destroy her and robbed her of much more success and a longer career. And I do think she was young, naive and misunderstood. Very sad really. Steffi didn't need another win but I admit I was, like most, willing her to win that match as it unfolded.

[@carrerau7138]

Steffi made 19 unforced errors (UEs) until this controversial point at 46 02. 9 more until 46 45 when Hingis served for the match. Which is 28 UEs in 19 games. From the on Steffi made only 6 UEs in the last 11 games. Which won her the match.

[@Gibson1976uk]

number 1 does not mean you are best!!!! it just means you have played more games ) and collected more points

[@kextrz]

I first thought about writing something. Then read the comments. Silly me.

[@NOTHEOTHERGUY]

Graf could easily be top 5 in today's WTA.

[@secrets.295]

You mean if she was born in this era? Probably so. I believe she would have adapt herself with the power games, and her slice backhand is such a weapon, because its a shot rarely used by women these days. It can be confusing. Plus the great mental strength she possessed is something lacking among the women these days.

[@markdecena4559]

@Max E yes especially with all the one hit wonders that make up the WTA today.

[@alessaschmitz5847]

@Max E he mean it not her now. He meant that, when a 20-35 years old Steffi with her athletic training, new racket technology, her discipline and her fast legs and game-wise play now, she would better than top 3.

[@GAjjl]

@@alessaschmitz5847 CORRECT. She would be number 1. She was a great athlete and not petite. She’s adjust easily and would clean These gals up for her speed and precision and mental toughness. Actually, Swiatek is a lot like Graf. And she’s dominating NOW.

[@CW-rx2js]

Is this funny??? Today's WTA is a joke...yes it's about power hitting but the calibre of players is not even half of what it was

[@danielr3522]

Didn't Hingis have an issue with foot faults in this match? I thought I heard that somewhere, or is my memory failing me?😂

[@justinseegmiller4807]

There probably was and issue with those in the second and third sets.

[@carrerau7138]

Your memory is failing you. It was only one first serve at which she foot-faulted.

[@danielr3522]

@@carrerau7138 Weird, not sure what gave me that impression!

[@theantichrome9842]

"most controversial French Open drama ever" ??? When Jimmy Connors was barred from playing in 1974...

[@haroldsmyth6685]

Absolutely. Why could the french federation make up the rules?

[@19ik12]

at least she wasn't stabbed on court as other Stefi's opponents were!

[@marcuspfister2047]

Not Steffi s fault

[@sashaeink1542]

I still bealive if that incident didn't happened Martina she would have won that final match

[@carrerau7138]

No way.