"Steffi Graf went to the towel one time in the final... like are you kidding me" - Serena Williams' ex-coach lambasts players for excessive towel use

Serena Williams' former coach Rennae Stubbs has highlighted Steffi Graf as a positive example while expressing her frustration with how often players use their towels in today's game. Stubbs made the remarks in response to the ATP's decision to revert to pre-pandemic rules, which have ball kids handing towels to players.

To combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus during the pandemic, the ATP implemented a rule requiring players to retrieve their towels. However, the rule was reversed earlier this season, reinstating the traditional practice of ball kids managing the players' towels.

On the latest episode of the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Stubbs expressed her disdain for the rule, arguing that she dealt with the same weather conditions during her playing days without having a ball kid fetch her towel for her.

"ATP I think are the only ones doing it, WTA are not. I’m so over it because back in my day, the heat was just the same, the sweat was coming off me just the same. We didn’t have ball kids running the towel to us every point. Go and watch some tennis," Stubbs said.

The Australian also recalled the legendary 1995 Wimbledon final between Steffi Graf and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, where the German claimed a hard-fought 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 victory. During the fierce contest, the duo engaged in a 20-minute game at 5-5 in the deciding set.

Stubbs emphasized that despite the high stakes, hot weather, and grueling game, Graf only rushed to wipe herself with a towel once.

"I mean, one of the best finals ever, Steffi Graf playing Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. I think it was 5-5 in the third set of the final and it was hot that day. I remember they played like an 18-minute game," she said.

"I think after like the 16th minute, Steffi finally ran to her chair, grabbed a towel, wiped herself down and ran back. One time, she went to the towel one time in the final. If that was now, she’d be taking the towel every, well she wouldn’t be because she’s not that player," she added.

In contrast, Rennae Stubbs criticized today's players for frequently reaching for their towels and using the time as a "mental reset."

"But these players now, I got aced, towel, I got aced, towel, a double fault, towel. Like are you f**king kidding me. Wear a sweatband, wipe your face like all of us do. Use your shirt, like Taylor Fritz does every time. You don’t need a towel, it’s a reset and I understand that it’s all mental now but if you can’t get over there and get your own towel in 20 seconds, too bad. Thats life," Stubbs said.

"Steffi Graf told me in retirement that the only thing she regrets about her career is not enjoying the wins more" - Rennae Stubbs

Steffi Graf (Source: Getty)

Throughout her illustrious career, Steffi Graf won 22 Grand Slam titles, completed the rare calendar year Golden Slam, and held the World No. 1 ranking for a record 377 weeks. However, the German still had one lingering regret about her career.

In an earlier episode of the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Stubbs revealed that the former World No. 1 regretted not taking the time to "enjoy" her victories. However, the Australian suggested that Graf might not have reached the same level of greatness if she had stopped to savor her victories instead of chasing new achievements.

"And one of the stories that I always tell about Steffi Graf is that, Steffi told me in retirement she wished she had, that the only thing she regrets about her career is not enjoying the wins more. And I said, 'Yeah but you know you probably wouldn’t have been as great as you were.' I mean, she won 22 Grand Slams at the age of 29," Stubbs said.

Rennae Stubbs also highlighted that legends of the sport like Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic stood out from other players because they were never fully "satisfied" with their accomplishments.