THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 13, 1995 TAG: 9509130009
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
At the U.S. Open over the past two weeks, could the game of tennis have served up anything more?
Monica Seles, absent more than two years as a result of a courtside stabbing by a deranged Steffi Graf fan, was back on the circuit. She roared - and grunted - through the first major tournament of her return, setting up a dream women's final of top seeds: the dramatic showdown with archrival Graf, her own life troubled by her father's arrest in Germany for income-tax evasion.
Their match Saturday was as storybook as is the Seles comeback. At the end, Graf owned an 18th major title, but most fans saw two winners exchanging post-match congratulations at the net.
On Sunday Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, seeded first and second, met in the men's final. Both combined big-serve power tennis with deft court play that must have left many fellow pros - and all the world's duffers - in total awe.
Sampras prevailed, then emotionally dedicated the victory to his coach, Tim Gullikson, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in January.
In both cases fans were treated to something more: spirited combatants eschewing boorish behavior and, their racquet battles ended, extending to each other not just an obligatory acknowledgment but genuine warmth and feeling.
And showing us that great tennis and good grace are compatible after all. by CNB