Petkovic praises birthday gal Graf, recalls meeting her

In tribute to her forerunning compatriot's 50th birthday on June 14, the ever-eloquent and introspective Andrea Petkovic penned a piece for a German-language publication, Tennis magazine, about first meeting the legend and yearning to have been a bit older so as to properly appreciate her dominance and deep love for competition.

Both tied to their sponsor Adidas, let alone their country, they relished a hitting session that left Petkovic captivated, per her retelling. "Like a barefoot dancer on hot ground," wrote the 31-year-old in what reads like a drop-jawed homage (which it is).

Almost finding herself, four years later, at a loss for words—a startling thought for a wordsmith such as her—Petkovic says that reducing Graf's game to descriptors such as "unique" and "precise" in the way that a pristinely created Swiss watch works is to dilute her impact.

Everything from Graf's focused expression to her expertly placed headband in matches was something that Petkovic took to heart upon exchanging strokes with the 22-time major singles champion in the Nevada heat and then going down a YouTube rabbit hole.

The star forever dubbed Fraulein Forehand still had it in 2015, perhaps could still play top 50 ball today. Petkovic knows. Everybody knows.