Q & A with Steffi
What is new with your foundation Children for Tomorrow?
We are proud to have inaugurated the first kindergarten in Eritrea in August 2008. The kindergarten has capacities for approx. 300 traumatized and underprivileged children. Our next big project is the opening of an ambulance for traumatized children in Uganda. Furthermore we are currently working on building a new trauma center for refugee children in Hamburg. There are so many children in this world who have to live under sad and unfavorable conditions. There is so much left to do and we do our best to make a change.
When will you be back in Germany?
I am happy to go back to Germany very soon. During my travel to Germany I will of course visit my foundation „Children for Tomorrow“ in Hamburg and will do some business meetings too. Among others there will be a photo shoot with Mrs. Sporty and I will visit Teekanne, where I will meet the winners of the Teekanne-casting.
How often do you visit Germany?
Usually I travel to Germany once or twice a year. Visiting Germany is always something very special – it is my home and I am always thrilled to see my family and friends again.
Do you still play tennis on a regular basis?
Unfortunately I don’t find the time to do so very often. My children are first priority for me and they determine the details of my everyday life. Besides that, my business activities and the work for my foundation Children for Tomorrow take up a lot of time. Whenever I play, I try to link it with charitable reasons for my foundation, for example the charity-tennis-exhibition in Mannheim, where I played against Justine Henin. Also the exhibition game last year in Tokyo, where I played with Martina Navratilova and Kimiko Date was a great experience. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to visit one of my most favorite cities and to see my Japanese fans again. But tennis is not at the forefront anymore. I had a great time during my tennis career, but I don’t regret bygone times.
What role did your family play in your tennis life and in your today’s life?
During my active tennis career my family was the most important support for me – I would not be where I am today without them. Today I have my own family, who is the center of my life. I like having family and relatives around me. There is nothing better than to spend time with my family. It gives me strength and brings so much joy into your lives.
How often do you exercise per week?
I try to work out 4-5 times a week on things such as riding the bike since it is joint-protecting. I also do some weight training. I need this time for me to get away from it all and to recharge my batteries.
Who was your role model during your tennis career?
I have never really had a role model. But there were several players which impressed me by their achievements. For example I always respected Martina Navratilova highly for her athletic achievements. But she did not only impress me with her performance in tennis but also mentally. I have always admired and respected her strong will and her drive for continuous improvement.
Sehr geehrte Frau Graf,
ich habe gestern Ihren Auftritt in Wimbleton gesehen und dabei ist mir aufgefallen, dass ich mich nie für die vielen spannenden und schönen Stunden bei Ihnen bedankt habe. Ich bin praktisch mit Ihren Erfolgen aufgewachsen und habe Sie damals immer als sehr fokussiert und ernst empfunden. Daher war es eine besondere Freude Sie so glücklich und relaxed an der Seite Ihres Mannes zu sehen. Ich wünsche Ihnen weiter alles Gute für die Zukunft.
MfG
Dr. Martin Volmer
Steffi, I’d like to say how much i love what you’ve done, what you’re doing and how you are. You’re such a giving person and never takes the limelight in anything, and i have the utmost respect for that.
I am 17 from England and I have always enjoyed watching you and Andre too as my favourite players of all time.
I’d just like you to know that everyone loves you and well done in the opening of the roof of Wimbledon, I wanted you and Andre to win!
Love from England,
Dong Ming
Hi steffi
This is Grace from India.i have completed my masters in social work specialising in Human resource Management.In India generally those who speialise in HRM decide to work in an IT sector but i chose to work at the community level because my long term goal is to start an orphanage.I spent the last year searching for a job.No one was willing to give one because generally they fibnd it hard to believe that someone wants to actually work at the grassroot level..now Iam currently working on a healthcare project.My passion is to work with children,I have evn become a’at home’ volunteer for the International humanity Foundation.I have been assigned 10kids and I correspond through email.Now I somehow want to work with kids and I do not know how to go about.i would be so grateful if you would guide or suggest me the possible ways.location and nature of work is not a problem because Iam capable of finding my way up.Pl get back to me.My email ad gracearthurr@gmail.com.By the way you looked lovely on the Roland Garros presentation.I admire you.Looking forward for your reply.Thank you
Hi Steffi
Would you ever considering doing a charity game in South Africa? I missed your game you played here a few year back.
cheers
Tania
Hi Stefanie,
I am 24 and never did any sport until two years ago when I discovered tennis through my partner Adam.
I have trained myself by text book and watching your technique. I have so many of your matches…..and can find no other player that inspires me like you have. The backhand slice of yours is just un-rivalled….. I was so unlucky that we missed out on tickets to watch you play at Wimbledon this year…..I so very much wanted to see you play live……I really wished that I discovered tennis younger….!! For now I will have to settle watching videos and perfecting my backhand slice……but if you ever want to raffle a prize of some coaching I will buy all the tickets!!!!
Thank you for your inspiring play that made tennis look like an art!
Very best wishes to you and your family,
Gary x
Liebe Steffi Graf,
Ebenfalls noch nachtraeglich alles Gute zum Geburtstag
Weiterhin wuenschen wir Ihnen und der Familie alles Gute und vorallem Gesundheit
Las Vegas Juli 2009
Hi Stefanie-
You have been my favorite player for a long time. I watched the exhibition at Wimbledon in May with you and your hubby Andre as well as Kim and Tim. That was great. I have a few questions for you-What was your favorite grand slam to play? I must say my favorite win of yours was without a doubt your 1999 French Open win over Martina Hingis. Also, what are your thoughts on players such as Rafael Nadal or Venus Williams? These are other players I like and also happen to have June birthdays like yourself. I hope you and Andre and your children are having a great summer!