"Steffi Graf has never done that in her life" - When Martina Hingis got high praise from Jana Novotna for the way she handled herself after losses
Tennis great Jana Novotna once compared her former rivals, Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis. According to her, Hingis was friendlier and more gracious in accepting when an opponent played better, unlike Graf.
Novotna and Graf shared one of the sport's most talked-about rivalries. However, it was one-sided, with the 22-time Grand Slam champion holding a 14-6 head-to-head lead.
The former Wimbledon champion also had a notable rivalry with Hingis, facing her six times, though the latter led 4-2. The duo shared a close bond off the court, with the Czech mentoring the Swiss.
One of the best matches between Jana Novotna and Martina Hingis took place at the 1998 Wimbledon Championships, where Novotna defeated Hingis in the semifinals on her way to lifting the trophy.
Later, she praised the five-time Major champion during a conversation with the media, describing her as gracious in defeat, contrary to her sometimes bitter public image.
"What's remarkable is that she can be so friendly, so good and so professional," Novotna said (via Sports Illustrated).
"To me, a champion is someone who can lose and admit that the other player was better. Steffi Graf has never done that in her life. But after I beat Martina, she said, 'Jana is a great champion,'" she added.
Steffi Graf on Jana Novotna crying after losing Wimbledon 1993 final to her: "I felt very uncomfortable"
In the 1993 Wimbledon final, Steffi Graf defeated Jana Novotna in a hard-fought match, winning 7-6(6), 1-6, 6-4. However, the moment was bittersweet for the German, who later admitted feeling “uncomfortable” upon seeing her opponent in tears.
Novotna was on the verge of victory, leading 4-1 in the final set when Graf’s experience and tenacity turned the tide. After the heartbreaking loss, the Czech star famously broke down in tears, leaning on the Duchess of Kent’s shoulder during the trophy presentation.
Graf told the Daily Mail in 2009:
"The presentation ceremony was very uncomfortable because I felt very uncomfortable. As we stood on the court I remember finding it very hard to look at Jana because she was crying."
The 22-time Major champion added:
"During the match you just think about the point you are playing and I was always very good at that. But at the end I was not that happy because I knew what it felt like to have had chances to win and to still have lost."