Steffi Graf German fan of Graf, Günter Parche. He claimed that he committed the attack to help Graf reclaim the world No. 1 ranking. More than two years elapsed before Seles competed again. Shortly after the stabbing, during a players meeting at the Italian Open in Rome, 17 of the world's top 25 WTA members voted against preserving Seles' world No. 1 ranking while she was sidelined. Since Graf skipped the Italian Open, she did not take part in the vote. During Seles's absence, Graf won 65 of 67 matches, three of four Grand Slam events and the year-end Virginia Slims championships.
2014 Serena Williams tennis season 2014 Serena Williams tennis season The 2014 Serena Williams tennis season officially began on 30 December with the start of the 2014 WTA Tour, and follows on from an 18-match winning streak which began at the end of the 2013 Season. Williams finished the year at no. 1, and held the ranking for the entire year, which had not been done since Steffi Graf in 1996. It is also fourth time that Williams ended as the number 1 player in the year. Based on her performance in 2014, she was named 'World Champion' for the fifth time and the third