Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf are one of the most celebrated veterans in Tennis. They executed historic runs and some of their records still act as a standard for testing the skill set of new professionals. However, apart from that, their relationship also receives showers of adoration. They are the couple that Chris Evert and Jimmy Connors were supposed to make.
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The couple ruled the WTA and ATP and played a significant role in making the sport what it is today. Along with that, they gave fans a perfect tennis relationship. The one that successfully survived the hectic schedule and emotional ups and down. Agassi had to manifest a lot to reach Graf. Here’s a story detailing his struggle.
Andre Agassi about his first interaction with Graf
The eight times Grand Slam champion, in his autobiography, shared how he prepared for Wimbledon in advance just to have a dance with Graf. Earlier, the majors had a custom of arranging a Wimbledon Ball on the night of finals for the champions of both categories. “I’ve had a crush on Steffi since I first saw her doing an interview on French TV,” Agassi, who tried to start a conversation with Graf during French Open earlier that year, confessed.
Thereafter, the 1992 Wimbledon Championships finally happened, and he was just a step away from his dream. But then a Wimbledon personnel informed him, “The players haven’t embraced the dance quite so enthusiastically in years past. So it’s been canceled.”
“She sees my face fall,” he wrote. Thereafter, he added, “I don’t get to dance with Steffi, but there will be a kind of consolation match: a formal introduction. Then it happens. Shaking her hand, I tell Steffi that I tried to reach her at last year’s French Open and I hope she didn’t misunderstand my intentions.”
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After Agassi’s divorce from the Hollywood actress Brooke Shields, in the year 1999, they started seeing each other. Then, in 2001, they exchanged vows and started a family together.
What are Graf and Agassi up to these days?
The 22 times Grand Slam champion Graf, since her retirement, has been keeping a low profile and is focusing on her family. She and Agassi have two children, namely Jaden Gil Agassi and Jaz Elle Agassi, in over 20 years of marriage.
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Watch this story: When Andre Agassi openly defended preferential treatment given to Serena Williams at Wimbledon
Speaking of the 52-year-old Agassi, he tried his hand at coaching earlier and is currently taking a break from that. He trained the 21 times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. Further, he is the in-charge of the Andre Agassi Foundation, which aims to help underprivileged children of Nevada get proper education and a better life.