‘She Wants No Part of Me’- Andre Agassi’s Failed Attempts at Having a Conversation With Steffi Graf Made Him Compare Her With His French Open Losses

Andre Agassi, the veteran famous for his rage and on-court fights, had a side that didn’t align with the rest of his behavior. Agassi has always been an outspoken person with no filters. However, his actions around Steffi Graf were completely different. The eight-time Grand Slam champion tiptoed when the subject was Graf.

Agassi had a crush on the German tennis legend but frustratingly could not have a heartfelt conversation with her. He was about to give up when his coach played his cards and arranged something similar to date for him. 

The story of Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf

In a recent episode of the ‘Almost Famous’ podcast, Barnaby Slater decided to read out the part where Agassi disclosed how he and his coach Brad Gilbert planned the game-changing approach. At first, Gilbert revived the will in Agassi, who was in the “She wants no part of me” state of mind.

Agassi explained, “I’ve tried and tried, no dice. Steffi Graf is like the French Open. I just can’t get across that particular finish line.” The American tennis coach, after listening to this, said, “That’s all in the past. Besides, your approach back then was so un-Andre.” And used his connection with Graf’s coach Heinz Gunthardt to make Agassi’s dream come true. “He’ll talk to Heinz about setting up a practice session.” 

“The moment we arrive in Key Biscayne, Brad finds Heinz, who is surprised by the proposition. He says, ‘No, Steffi would never agree to break her regular preparation schedule for a practice session with a stranger. She’s shy and will be highly uncomfortable.'” Andre detailed.

However, unlike Gunthardt’s claim, the 22 times Grand Slam champion did agree to practice with him. They ended up talking for a while and things escalated for them pretty quickly. They tied the knot in the year 2001 and are currently parents to two children, namely Jaden Gil Agassi and Jaz Elle Agassi. 

Read more: ‘She Sees My Face Fall’ – Andre Agassi Once Revealed How Steffi Graf Noticed His Disappointed Face Right After Their Canceled Dance

Speaking of the French Open, he finally clinched victory in the year 1999. Agassi got the better of Andriy Medvedev in the five-set-long finals of the clay-based Grand Slam to lift the trophy.

Agassi’s relationship with his first wife

The four-time Australian Open champion exchanged vows with the ‘Pretty Baby’ actress, Brooke Shields, in the year 1997. They were one of the most talked about couples of that time. However, their relationship started rotting internally soon after the marriage.

Watch this story: When Andre Agassi openly defended preferential treatment given to Serena Williams at Wimbledon

As per Shields, Agassi brought his on-court displeasure and anger home and ruined the marriage with his insecurities. In just two years, they decided to break ties and walked out of the union in the year 1999. While Agassi later found his soulmate in Graf, screenwriter Chris Henchy’s company washed off Shields’ bad experience.