Steffi Graf once admitted that before retiring, she longed to “disappear” from the public eye. After leaving professional tennis, she embraced her newfound freedom by attending a music festival alone. Her revelation came during a 2020 interview with *Sportstar*.
Graf, one of the most accomplished players in tennis history, won 107 career titles, including 22 Grand Slams. She shocked the sports world by retiring at just 30 years old, ending a legendary career that saw her dominate the court for over a decade.
Reflecting on her decision, Graf explained that stepping away from tennis gave her a sense of relief. Without the pressure of competition, she could finally do things she had only dreamed of, like spontaneously traveling to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Her retirement was finalized after the 1999 San Diego Open, where she withdrew due to injury. She later confirmed that her passion for tennis had faded, and despite her immense success, she never regretted walking away from the sport.
