Tennis star gaining recognition after false starts (4)

I believe the answer is:

graf

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'tennis star' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'gaining recognition after false starts' is the wordplay.
'starts' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'gaining recognition after false' is 'GRAF'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for graf that I've seen before include "German tennis player, b. 1969" , "German count - German tennis player" , "Seven-times women's Wimbledon champion, b. 1969" , "Steffi --, tennis champion" , "Steffi --, tennis player" .)

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