Nine wins each, six Grand Slam finals in three seasons, and the racket that carried Steffi Graf to the Golden Slam.
Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf met 18 times between 1985 and 1994 and finished level, 9–9. Their six Grand Slam finals all came in three seasons, 1987 to 1989, when the older champion and the teenager who would take her place traded the biggest titles in the sport.
The Racket
Dunlop Max 200G (Graf) — the first tennis racket made by graphite injection moulding, and still one of the most recognised frames of the era. The International Tennis Hall of Fame holds the one Graf used to win the 1988 US Open, the last stop of her Golden Slam year. It is graphite, black with gold and green trim, strung with clear gut. Our Dunlop Max 200G guide has the full collector’s story.
Yonex (Navratilova) — she signed with Yonex in 1980, won the 1982 French Open with the R-7 and three majors in 1983 with the R-22. See the Yonex isometric series guide.
The Ball
By the time these two met at Wimbledon in 1987, 1988 and 1989, the white ball was gone: Wimbledon switched to yellow in 1986. Here is the story of how white disappeared.
Six Finals
1987 French Open: Graf won 6–4, 4–6, 8–6, saving herself from 3–5 down in the third set at 17 for her first major.
1987 Wimbledon: Navratilova won 7–5, 6–3, her eighth Wimbledon.
1987 US Open: Navratilova won 7–6, 6–1.
1988 Wimbledon: Graf won 5–7, 6–2, 6–1. Navratilova led 7–5, 2–0, then lost 12 of the last 13 games.
1989 Wimbledon: Graf won 6–2, 6–7, 6–1.
1989 US Open: Graf won 3–6, 7–5, 6–1.
The Verdict
Level at 9–9 overall. Navratilova leads 5–4 in Grand Slam matches, but Graf won four of the six Grand Slam finals, including the last three.
On the record: 9–9.
On Grand Slam finals: Graf, 4–2.
Want to play the game the way they saw it? Join the waiting list for The White Ball, or get the free collector’s guide to start your own racket collection.
— The Editor, Court Privée
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