Tennis Legend Steffi Graf Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame 2025 at Age 55
Newport, Rhode Island — May 16, 2025 — In a moment marked by grace, reverence, and a standing ovation that echoed through the historic grounds of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, legendary tennis champion Steffi Graf was officially inducted in a special ceremony this week. At 55 years old, the German icon’s legacy was once again etched into the annals of the sport she helped redefine during her storied career.
Though already a Hall of Famer through her initial induction in 2004, this year’s ceremonial recognition celebrated Graf with the “Legendary Achievement Honor,” a rarely awarded distinction that recognizes unparalleled excellence and ongoing influence in tennis. With her husband and fellow tennis great Andre Agassi, family, fans, and former competitors looking on, Graf stood before a global audience to accept what she humbly called “a celebration of a shared journey in sport, resilience, and love.”
Graf’s career statistics are unmatched in many respects. She won 22 Grand Slam singles titles—more than any other player in the Open Era until Serena Williams surpassed her total. In 1988, she achieved what remains one of the rarest feats in tennis history: the Golden Slam—winning all four major tournaments and the Olympic gold medal in a single calendar year. It is a record that still stands unmatched.
Her style of play—anchored by a ferocious forehand, elegant footwork, and mental toughness—redefined women’s tennis in the late 1980s and 1990s. She held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 377 weeks, a testament to her sustained dominance and consistency. Her rivalries with Monica Seles, Martina Navratilova, Gabriela Sabatini, and later, younger stars like Martina Hingis, captivated audiences and elevated the sport’s profile worldwide.
Though she retired in 1999 at the age of 30, Graf’s influence never waned. She remained engaged in philanthropic efforts through her “Children for Tomorrow” foundation, which supports children traumatized by war and violence. Her quiet strength off the court paralleled her on-court determination, inspiring a new generation of athletes across disciplines.
During the induction, tennis historian Steve Flink praised Graf as “not just a champion of matches, but a champion of character.” Agassi, in a moving tribute, described her as “the greatest not because she won the most, but because she won with dignity, walked away at her peak, and then used her legacy to uplift others.”
In recent years, Graf has made occasional appearances at major tournaments, offering commentary and mentoring rising players behind the scenes. Her rare but always impactful public appearances make her a figure of enduring mystique and respect. Young players like Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff have openly cited Graf as a source of inspiration.
The 2025 induction ceremony not only honored the past but highlighted how Graf’s legacy continues to shape the present and future of tennis. As she took the stage, still radiating the quiet confidence that defined her competitive years, the crowd erupted into a prolonged ovation—an affirmation that Steffi Graf, at 55, remains as iconic and beloved as ever.
In the words engraved on her newly unveiled Hall of Fame plaque: “A champion in sport, a legend in life.”