#3: Steffi Graf is the Best Diverse Tennis Player

Steffi Graf

Look if you want to talk about women tennis players I don’t know how anyone can compare to Steffi Graf. One of her unique successes is that she is the first singles player to win a calendar year Grand Slam on all three types of court. That’s the diversity that makes her a true champion.

What I like most about Graf is her diversity of play. As her tennis career progressed, I watched her adjust to weapons her opponents were bringing at her. For example, to defeat net rushers she often used her top-spin back hand. As the number of net rushers decreased she adjusted and perfected her backhand slice as a way to force her opponents to play to her strongest stroke, her forehand. She also has an accurate volley, but she chooses to play at the baseline more than the net. Her speed and agility on the court are unmatched to this day.