Steffi Graf completed the calendar year Golden Slam in 1988 by winning the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open, and the Olympic gold in Seoul that year.
Graf, who was relatively new to the tennis scene, achieved the historic feat just one year after winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the 1987 French Open. The German player represented West Germany and was just a teenager at the time.
The then 19-year-old was humble in her victory though. In an old interview, the 22-time Major winner confessed that being young, she was not completely aware of the magnitude of the moment but looking back she realized that it was very special.
“Extremely special. I think I didn’t realize at that point how specially really it was. I was 19 years old and, you know, winning my first Grand Slam the year before, and the suddenly winning four in the same year and topping it off with going to Seoul and winning the gold medal. I mean it just was overwhelming really at that point, you know. I think it helped me a lot being young and kind of naïve and not really being aware so much of the moment,” she remarked.