PARIS — The most unexpected of Steffi Graf's 22 Grand Slam singles titles unfolded in a compelling three-set drama at the French Open, a fascinating psychological study of rejection and repudiation.
For Graf, it couldn't get any better--or any crazier--so she decided to freeze the moment, declaring this was her final French Open, shortly after the sixth-seeded German defeated top-seeded Martina Hingis of Switzerland, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. It was her sixth title here and she trails all-time Grand Slam leader Margaret Smith Court by two championships.
Graf's career was in doubt a year ago because of chronic injuries, and the stunning accomplishment Saturday brought tears of joy from her. But not as many tears as there were from a sobbing Hingis, who antagonized the crowd with an afternoon of juvenile behavior.
Her tears came from bitter disappointment, as she was three points from winning her first title at the French Open.
The jeers were from a pro-Graf crowd, which turned anti-Hingis when the 18-year-old became petulant. Hingis came within one fit of misbehavior from being defaulted. She received a warning for racket abuse, and a point penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct when she crossed over to the other side of the court to argue a controversial line call.
Graf clinched the match when Hingis hit a backhand long, and the crowd booed Hingis off Center Court. Several minutes later, she returned for the awards ceremony, sobbing profusely in the arms of her mother, Melanie Molitor, who had persuaded her to return for the ceremony.
This was almost like Graf in the role of 29-year-old baby-sitter, disciplining the naughty teenager. She reassured Hingis that, indeed, her time eventually would come in Paris.
"This is the biggest win I've ever had," said Graf, whose last Grand Slam victory was the 1996 U.S. Open. "I've had a lot of unexpected ones. There have been a few where it didn't come perfectly."
Graf stopped and laughed in the interview room.
"I had some champagne, so I'm trying to find my way through here," she said. "I've had some struggles, but this by far is the most unexpected. I came into this tournament without the belief. I wasn't even doing well in training."
Her injuries are well-documented: Knee surgery two years ago led to a lengthy rehabilitation and she has suffered from a series of various injuries since then. There was one school of thought within the Graf camp to skip the French Open and aim for Wimbledon
