"I felt a certain satisfaction that didn't put tennis in the first place anymore" - When Steffi Graf opened up on realizing the end of her career

Steffi Graf is one of the greatest tennis players of all time and enjoyed a stellar career during which she won 22 Grand Slam singles titles.

Graf began her professional career in 1982 and retired in 1999, the year she won the French Open and reached the Wimbledon final. Her last match was a second-round encounter at the TIG Classic in San Diego against Amy Frazier. Graf retired from the match due to a hamstring injury and a short while later announced her retirement from the sport.

The German was honored at Madison Square Garden during the year-end championships. She spoke to the press at the event and was asked about the moment she realized her career was over.

Graf stated that she felt tennis was not her priority following her defeat to Lindsay Davenport in the Wimbledon final.

"That moment came after Wimbledon, and, you know, it didn't really hit me at one specific time. It just came gradually, when I started to get ready for the tournaments and I realized that, you know, I wasn't really getting into it too much. I felt a certain, not emptiness, but I felt a certain satisfaction that, you know, didn't put tennis in the first place anymore," Steffi Graf said.

Graf added that she had reservations about competing in San Diego while traveling to the tournament.

"I realized I'm actually not keen to go to another tournament. And if there was one moment when I felt pretty, pretty obviously it was on the flight I was supposed to go to San Diego. I've had moments before, but it was like, 'Why am I going to San Diego?'" Graf claimed.

"That's when it basically hit me the most. I just wanted basically to be very sure it was the decision I wanted, not just because I was tired, because it was difficult weeks with Paris and Wimbledon, and as I was there and finally played I was very sure about it," she added.

After competing in the tournament, Graf was certain about her decision and announced her retirement to the world.

"It's nice to have a lot calmer life" - Steffi Graf on life after retirement

Steffi Graf in action at the 1995 Wimbledon Championships

In the same interview, Steffi Graf was also asked if she felt relieved after her retirement. The German replied by saying that she enjoyed her time away from the game and was happy to have a calmer life.

"I wouldn't say a relief. But it -- I really have enjoyed my time off. It's been a lot busier than I wanted it to be, but you go through a lot of emotions, not even playing tournaments. It's preparing for them, you know, the ups and downs of practices. You know, tennis rules your day, your routines," Graf said.

"It kind of, you know, depending how you do and how you're happy about it, kind of gets into your personal life, too. I was really happy to kind of, not being as moody any more and not having to go through these emotions. It's nice to have a lot calmer life," she added.

Steffi Graf's tally of 22 Grand Slam singles titles was an Open Era record until Serena Williams surpassed her in 2017.