German tennis legend Boris Becker joined the chorus of well-wishers celebrating Steffi Graf’s 56th birthday on June 14, calling his longtime compatriot and fellow champion “The Queen of Germany.”
The six-time Grand Slam winner reshared a birthday tribute posted by Billie Jean King, adding his own touch to honor one of the most iconic athletes in German history.
Boris Becker and Steffi Graf Both Retired in the Same Year
Graf, who turned 56 on Saturday, remains a towering figure in tennis more than two decades after her retirement. The former World No. 1 amassed 22 Grand Slam singles titles, held the top spot for a record 377 weeks, and is still the only player, man or woman, to achieve a Golden Slam in a single calendar year (winning all four Majors and Olympic gold in 1988).
Her dominance during the late 1980s and 1990s elevated women’s tennis globally. It ignited a golden era for the sport in Germany, where Becker led a parallel charge in the men’s game.
King, herself a tennis trailblazer, took to social media to honor Graf’s incredible career and legacy. “22 Grand Slam titles, World No. 1 for 377 weeks, and Olympic gold medalist,” King wrote in a tribute posted on X. “Happy birthday to my friend, the great champion, Steffi Graf!”
Becker amplified the message with his own caption: “The Queen 🫅 of Germany.”
The Queen 🫅 of Germany 🇩🇪 https://t.co/dj3fvGzaDE
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) June 14, 2025
When Becker Reflected on His Unique Bond With Graf
In a 2009 interview with Der Spiegel, Becker spoke warmly about Graf, describing her as widely admired by their peers, both for her looks and athleticism. He added that, despite the attention she received, their longtime friendship had naturally developed into a sibling-like bond.
“Every tennis player in our generation liked Steffi Graf: a great woman…always winning. Everyone in the dressing room thought Steffi was hot,” Becker said (translated from German). “And when you know someone for so long, it automatically becomes a brother-sister relationship.”
The connection between Becker and Graf runs deep. Both emerged from West Germany and were at the forefront of the tennis boom in their country. In 1989, they made history by winning Wimbledon and the US Open in the same season. The pair later represented Germany together at the 1992 Hopman Cup. They both retired in 1999; Becker in June and Graf in August.
