“I Don’t Want Just to Go and Pick Up My Prize Money” – When Martina Hingis Lamented ‘Unfair’ Wimbledon Draw Against Steffi Graf
Tennis history is filled with epic rivalries, dramatic upsets, and unforgettable moments. But in 1995, a 14-year-old Martina Hingis found herself in a situation that felt more like a battle against fate rather than a fair fight. The Swiss prodigy was handed a daunting first-round draw at Wimbledon, facing none other than World No. 1 and defending champion Steffi Graf. The teenager, already hailed as a future star, did not hold back her frustration, calling the draw “unfair” and lamenting her fate before even stepping onto the grass courts of the All England Club.
A Tough Introduction to Wimbledon
Martina Hingis, named after the legendary Martina Navratilova, was already making waves in the tennis world. At just 14, she was the youngest player in the Open Era to compete in the main draw of Wimbledon. However, her maiden appearance at the prestigious Grand Slam came with a major roadblock—being drawn against Graf, a player who dominated women’s tennis in the 1990s.
Graf, a 17-time Grand Slam champion at the time, had a formidable presence on grass, having won five Wimbledon titles by then. For a teenage debutant, this was the ultimate test, and Hingis knew it. Before the match, she voiced her disappointment, famously stating:
> “I don’t want just to go and pick up my prize money.”
Her words reflected the mindset of a competitor who wanted a fair chance to progress rather than being thrown into the deep end against a tennis legend in her very first match.
The Clash and Aftermath
When Hingis stepped onto the court, she showed glimpses of the talent that would later make her a five-time Grand Slam singles champion. However, experience prevailed as Graf, known for her lethal forehand and unmatched dominance, comfortably dispatched the young Swiss in straight sets.
Despite the loss, Hingis took valuable lessons from the encounter. She would go on to revolutionize women’s tennis with her tactical brilliance and finesse, reaching World No. 1 at just 16 and winning Wimbledon in 1997—just two years after her tough debut against Graf.
From Frustration to Greatness
Looking back, that 1995 Wimbledon draw may have seemed cruel, but it also set the stage for Hingis’ rise in the sport. She proved that she was not just a prodigy but a champion in the making.
Her lament about the “unfair” draw may have been justified at the time, but in hindsight, facing Graf was an early baptism of fire that prepared her for the heights she would later achieve. Hingis’ story serves as a reminder that tough challenges often shape the greatest champions.
