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Martina Hingis once shared her feelings about defeating Steffi Graf in Rome when she was only 15 years old.
In 1996, Hingis caused a shock upset by beating top-seed Graf at the Italian Open. The Swiss won the quarterfinal match 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, handing the German her first tournament loss in seven months and her first on clay since the 1994 French Open.
Hingis then reached the final after beating Irina Spirlea but couldn't clinch the title. In the championship match, she lost to Conchita Martinez, who secured a straight-set victory in just an hour and 16 minutes, earning her a record fourth consecutive Italian title.
After her match against Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis spoke to the media and shared her feelings about defeating a player of the 22-time Grand Slam champion's caliber at such a young age.
"It was a great chance for me, to play, to beat No. 1--and I took it. Steffi beat me bad the first two times we played. Now, the big players won’t be shaking to play such a young player. Now I beat Graf, they see what I can do and not feel so bad if I beat them. But every day can’t be like today," Hingis said.
The five-time Major winner also joked about her expectations, saying she thought she would lose to Graf and was looking forward to exploring the sights in the Italian capital:
"I always wanted to see the sights here, and I thought I would have time after losing to Steffi [Graf]. Now, no time. I have to keep playing."
Steffi Graf on her loss to Martina Hingis: "I was insecure, I got worse and worse"
Steffi Graf admitted to the press that she felt insecure during her 1996 Italian Open quarterfinal match against Martina Hingis. She also acknowledged struggling with a lack of patience during the game and off-court problems.
"I was insecure," Graf said. "I got worse and worse. I had no confidence, no patience and it showed. I wasn’t worried about her, I worried about myself. There are things beyond the court. I’m fighting myself."
The German added:
"I have to work harder. This wasn’t a good preparation for the French. This was my first tournament on clay since the last French, and it showed," she added.
Graf then showered Hingis with praise, saying:
"Martina shows extreme maturity, the feel of what to do. You see her doing things like much older players--and maybe not even they can do."
