Steffi Graf biography : 1982

Steffi had now reached the summit of the proverbial amateur mountain. If she wanted to continue to progress, she would have to find something bigger and more challenging to scale. On October 18, 1982, at just 13 years and 4 months, Steffi did just that by turning professional. She became youngest to receive a WTA ranking at that time (Steffi is currently 2nd to S. Rehe, who beat Steffi's record by two months). The gangly teen played and lost her first pro match to Tracy Austin, 4-6, 0-6 in Stuttgart, near where Steffi grew up. It was at a time when Tracy was having injury problems and trying to work her way back to the top. Naturally, the German reporters were excited about their Steffi, as she had long ago been earmarked for great things on the court, and asked the American tennis star about what she thought of this kid's prospects as a pro. Miss Austin, who (don't laugh) currently works as a TV commentator/analyst, told the German press in Stuttgart that she didn't find Steffi particularly talented. Steffi became a little miffed, naturally, that someone she had admired would say something like that about her. But that kind of criticism only served to strengthen the German's resolve to stick to her decision to turn pro; in fact, she responded by declaring that she didn't think she'll ever forget Tracy's words.

Steffi’s commitment to turning pro meant she had to quit school and hire a tutor to travel with her on the tour until she was 15. After that, she studied by correspondence for another 3 years or so.

1982	...turning professional...

 

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Year-End Rank  214 1982 GRAND SLAM EVENT RECORD Prize Money $4,433 French Open Wimbledon U.S. Open Australian Open Titles Won 0 DNP DNP DNP DNP Best GS Result N/A 1982 RECORD BY SURFACE Wins-Losses 0-1 Clay Grass Hard Indoor 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 1982 PROFESSIONAL TOUR RESULTS (including the Grand Slams)  Entered Titles R/U SF QF R16 R32 R64 R128 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0