After winning the Australian Open in 1997 at the age of sixteen, Swiss sensation Hingis became the dominant force in women’s tennis by the mid to late 1990s.
In addition, the young prodigy won the US Open and Wimbledon that same year, and in 1998 and 1999, he added two more Australian victorie
Although Hingis was widely regarded as the greatest player in the world and had achieved a calendar year slam in doubles in 1998, she was unable to win the French Open.
While Graf had not won a major championship in three years, mostly because of injuries, he was over ten years Hingis’ senior and a five-time winner of the French Open.
Much to everyone’s surprise, the German found success at Roland Garros, defeating Lindsay Davenport, the third seed, and Monica Seles, the second seed, to reach the championship match.
In what ended up being one of the most dramatic and contentious Grand Slam finals in history, Graf and Hingis faced off on the sacred red clay of Court Central (now Court Philippe Chatrier).
