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Last Slam?

Graf to compete in U.S. Open

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Posted: Friday July 09, 1999 05:46 PM

Time at the top: Steffi Graf, ranked No. 3 in the world, was ranked No. 1 for a record total of 377 weeks. AP

NEW YORK (AP) -- After announcing she had played her last French Open and last Wimbledon, Steffi Graf has entered the U.S. Open.

The five-time champion's name was included in a list of entries submitted by the WTA Tour to the United States Tennis Association, which will run the Open from Aug. 30 through Sept. 13. It could be her final Grand Slam event.

"Steffi has been one of the favorites at the U.S. Open throughout her career" tournament director Jay Snyder said Friday. "We are excited that she has decided to return for at least one more run."

Graf, 30, won the French Open championship over Martina Hingis and then announced she would no longer compete in the clay-court tournament. Four weeks later, she lost to American Lindsay Davenport in the final at Wimbledon and said it was her last match in the grass-court event.

"It's been a lot of fun, but I guess, yes, there's going to be a certain time when I've got to move on with something else in my life," she said after Wimbledon.

Graf has 22 career Grand Slam titles, second only to Margaret Court Smith's 24. She is ranked No. 3 in the world and was ranked No. 1 for a record total of 377 weeks. In 1988, she swept all four Grand Slam tournaments -- the Australian, the French, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open -- as well as winning the Olympic gold medal.

Graf has been the No. 1 seed in the U.S. Open a record nine times.

 

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