No day like any other: Steffi Graf wins the Golden Slam

Am October 1, 1988 Steffi Graf achieved another milestone in her outstanding career. After she had already won all four Grand Slam tournaments in 1988, she also secured the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Seoul with a 6: 3 and 6: 2 victory in the final against Gabriela Sabatini from Argentina. Your “Golden Slam” within a calendar year is so far unique in tennis.

It was not the Brühl’s first appearance at the Olympic Games. Already in 1984 in Los Angeles she started at the age of 15 – and won. However, tennis was only a demonstration competition in California and only players under 21 were allowed to start.

Knowing roughly what to expect from the experience of 1984, Graf traveled to South Korea with anticipation. Years later, she described the tournament as a highlight of her career.

“I have so many different memories of 1988. I could go through all the matches at the Grand Slams, but arriving in Seoul, being part of the Olympic feeling and being in the village with the other athletes was very special. Probably it was my strongest memories “, Graf is quoted on” Tennisnet “.

The “Countess” only gave a set once during the entire tournament, in the quarterfinals against Larissa Savchenko from the Soviet Union. She won all other matches smoothly. She even gave her semi-final opponent Zina Garrison from the USA a “bagel” in the second set.

Final opponent Sabatini praised the Brühlerin the highest tones. Graf was “outstanding” as a player and as a person, said the Argentine in an interview with the “DTB”: “It was an honor and a privilege for me to be active on the tour with her.”