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Steffi Graf used 1999 to make a grand exit from tennis' center stage. Andre Agassi used 1999 to display a level of sustained excellence that had been absent for several years. The highlight of Graf's year was winning the French Open against No. 1 Martina Hingis. Graf turned back her young opponent, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. A glimpse of Graf's pending retirement came to light when she declared following the match that she would not play in the French Open again. Agassi also claimed the French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam. In the final, he fought valiantly from two sets down to defeat Andrei Medvedev. A month later Graf roared into the Wimbledon final, only to be turned back by Lindsay Davenport 4-6, 5-7. Agassi again followed suit, advancing to the Wimbledon final before losing to perennial champion Pete Sampras. Graf attended the U.S. Open, but only to formally say goodbye. Agassi attended, vaulted to No. 1 in the world and defeated fellow-American Todd Martin in another valiantly played final. However, for all of Agassi and Graf's on-court brilliance, it was a surprising off-court relationship that surfaced during the U.S. Open that may have grabbed the most headlines. Both refuse to give many details of the romance, but concede that they're happy.
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