Yannick Noah thrashed Steffi Graf in 1992 despite he being a retired player and she in her prime.
The two tennis icons played tiebreakers at a Bercy Paris fundraiser for Noah’s foundation. Event was called the Tennis and Rock Challenge, with $250,000 on the line.
Cyril Hamel remembers the event. “Noah organized an event (in Paris Bercy arena) to raise funds for his children charity. The first part was those tiebreakers between some players, one of them behind Noah vs Graf. First point, Graf serves as big as she can, Noah handled it with an unreachable drop shot just behind the net. Graf was locked on her serving line. Rest of tiebreaker was easy play by Noah while Graf was doing her best to not look like a tennis college student. This was just one of a few matches.”
Some of the other players involved in 1992 event were Nathalie Tauziat, Jennifer Capriati, Goran Ivanisevic and Ronald Agenor.
Noah vs Graf Tiebreaker Point by Point:
First point: Steffi first serve, Noah drop shot winner. Steffi hits racquet on ground in anger. McEnroe, Goran (wearing Oakland Raiders cap)m Mansour Bahrami and Muster cheering Noah on from side bench.
Point Two: Noah serve and volley, Graf backhand return is far wide in alley. 2-0 Noah.
Point Three: Noah serve and volley, Graf backhand return way long.
Point Four: Graf second serve, then nets first forehand. 4-0 Noah.
Point Five: Longer rally but Graf nets an overhead on a Noah lob.
Point Six: Noah finally misses, nets a backhand slice. 5-1 Noah. Capriati, Shaut Stafford and Tauziat high five each other on the side bench. Crowd chants STEFFI STEFFI!
Point Seven: Noah serve and volley, nets backhand volley.
Point Eight: Graf missed forehand long. 6-2 Noah.
Point Nine: Graf service winner, Noah nets return.
Point Ten: Noah service winner, Graf return long. 8-3 Noah.
Point Eleven: Noah about to serve suddenly imitates Graf mannerisms and body language, blowing air into her hand, which makes Graf laugh and bang her racquet in mock anger.
Point 12: Graf return long.
Point 13: Noah hits ball long after long rally on the blue clay. 9-4.
Point 14: Noah forehand volley winner up the line. 10-4 Noah.
Video of Graf vs Noah starts at 56th minute
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