Monica Seles Reflects on Steffi Graf’s 66-Match Winning Streak at the 1990 Lufthansa Cup
In the world of tennis, certain moments stand out as milestones in history. One such moment occurred in 1990, when 16-year-old Monica Seles stunned the tennis world by breaking Steffi Graf’s 66-match winning streak at the Lufthansa Cup, now known as the ecotrans Ladies Open in Berlin. This victory was not just a triumph for the teenager but also a harbinger of the fierce rivalry that would define women’s tennis in the 1990s.
Steffi Graf’s Unstoppable Streak
Steffi Graf entered the 1990 Lufthansa Cup on a remarkable 62-match winning streak, a run that included victories at three consecutive Grand Slam titles—Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. Playing in front of her home crowd in Germany, Graf continued her dominance by reaching the final, having lost just 13 games in the tournament up to that point. Her streak had reached 66 matches, placing it as the second-longest winning streak in WTA history, just behind the 74-match streak of Martina Navratilova in 1984.
Graf’s form was nearly flawless in Berlin, and she appeared poised to extend her run. But standing in her way was an up-and-coming talent from Yugoslavia—Monica Seles, the second seed at the tournament, who was also playing some of the best tennis of her young career.
Seles Stuns the World
Both players reached the final without dropping a set, but it was Seles who produced the shock result. In a dominant display,
“I was so far away from playing my best tennis, it was difficult to get into it,” Graf said after the match. “If I play like that, I can’t expect to win.” It was clear that Graf, despite her incredible run, was not at her best on the day. However, her loss was also a testament to Seles’ poise and determination, particularly for someone so young.
Monica Seles, ever humble, took the victory in stride. “This is just one match,” she said. “I’m just happy that I’m playing well.” At the time, Seles was focused on her own development rather than any long-term implications of her win.
A Maiden Title and a Taste for Luxury
Winning the Lufthansa Cup earned Seles a prize of $100,000, an impressive sum for a teenager just starting to make her mark in the professional tennis world. After the win, Seles jokingly mentioned her plans to buy a car, confessing a preference for a Lamborghini, though she would settle for a red BMW. The young star was already dreaming of the finer things in life, even if her main focus remained on her tennis career.
Seles’ victory in Berlin was not just a one-off upset; it marked the beginning of her rise to the top of women’s tennis. Her confidence and skill would soon be on full display at the French Open a few weeks later.
The 1990 French Open: A Glimpse of Greatness
The 1990 French Open proved to be a pivotal moment in both Graf and Seles’ careers. The two were the top two seeds at the tournament, and once again, they met in the final. Graf had dropped just 22 games en route to the final, including victories over top players like Nathalie Tauziat, Conchita Martinez, and Jana Novotna. Seles, meanwhile, had to dig deep to overcome Manuela Maleeva in the quarterfinals and later beat fellow teenager Jennifer Capriati to reach her first Grand Slam final.
In a tense, high-quality match, Seles defeated Graf 7-6(6), 6-4, securing her first Grand Slam title. This victory not only added a major trophy to Seles’ career but also solidified her position as a future star in tennis. The win was also significant in the context of the rivalry between the two players, as Seles handed Graf her second consecutive defeat in a Grand Slam final.
The Rivalry Continues
Though Seles had taken the first two victories in their head-to-head encounters, Graf ultimately led their rivalry with 10 wins to Seles’ 5 across their 15 matches. Their last meeting came in the semifinals of the 1999 French Open, where Graf triumphed in a three-set battle to reach the final. Graf went on to win her 22nd and final Grand Slam title, defeating Martina Hingis.
Despite the gap in their head-to-head record, the rivalry between Seles and Graf remains one of the most compelling in tennis history. Graf was known for her fierce competitive spirit and her versatile game, while Seles’ dynamic baseline play, powered by her two-handed forehand and relentless intensity, made her a unique force on tour.
Legacy of the 1990 Berlin Victory
Seles’ victory at the 1990 Lufthansa Cup remains one of the defining moments of her career. It was not just the end of Steffi Graf’s remarkable 66-match winning streak, but a sign that the torch of tennis dominance was slowly beginning to pass to a new generation of players. Seles would go on to win multiple Grand Slam titles, becoming one of the game’s greats. However, her journey was also marked by personal tragedy, as she was stabbed on court in 1993, which temporarily derailed her career.
For Steffi Graf, the loss in Berlin and the subsequent defeats in the French Open final would not prevent her from continuing to dominate the tennis world. Graf would go on to win a total of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, a record that remains unmatched in the Open Era.
The 1990 Lufthansa Cup, however, marked the beginning of a rivalry that would define women’s tennis for years to come. It was a moment when the next generation of champions, led by Monica Seles, made their presence known, changing the face of tennis forever.
Leave a Reply