Steffi Graf vs. Kimiko Date Wimbledon 1996 SF

One of the most memorable, unscripted light-hearted Grand Slam moments happened at the 1996 Wimbledon semifinals in a duel between Steffi and Kimiko Date.

Steffi won the first set 62 but was down 2:4 in the second set. While serving ahead 40-15, and about to serve a first serve to try to close out the game, a male fan interrupted the contest by shouting loudly, “Steffi will you marry me?”

Steffi paused and smiled and was clearly amused by the shocking disruption of her concentration. After about ten seconds, it was clear to see Steffi enjoyed the spontaneity, timing, and humor of the question and then launched her witty reply to her suitor, “How much money do you have?” The mystery man did not answer his potential conquest.

After the romantic interlude was completed, the match resumed and on the very next point, Steffi netted a forehand on her first shot. Steffi then proceeded to lose that game and the set 26. Because it was early evening and darkening quickly, Wimbledon officials decided to half the match and complete the third set the next day.

TV commentators Tracy Austin and Dick Enberg both agreed the momentary lapse of focus from Steffi and her graceful decline of the life-changing proposal did not help her play. “I think that actually hurt her,” Enberg noted. “It was very rare to see Steffi joke around at that point of a match,” observed Austin.

After an evening to ponder the situation, Steffi regained her top form the next morning. The following day was sunny and perfect conditions, and Steffi got herself back on track and thwarted Date’s career-best play, which was her deepest run into a Grand Slam. Graf attained the victory on her third match point to set up a final vs Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario.
Steffi 💖
Enjoy!