Steffi Graf is a retired German professional tennis player, widely regarded as one of the greatest female athletes in the sport's history. Born on June 14, 1969, in Mannheim, Germany, she turned professional in 1982 and quickly rose to prominence. Graf is best known for her powerful forehand and exceptional footwork, which helped her win a total of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in women's tennis at the time. In 1988, Graf achieved a remarkable feat by winning all four major tournaments—Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open—in a single calendar year, a milestone known as the "Golden Slam." Throughout her career, she held the world No. 1 ranking for a total of 377 weeks, a record that stood for many years. After retiring in 1999, Graf has remained involved in tennis and various charitable activities.