Tis the Wedding Season
In this week's newsletter, we'll take a look at how Andre Agassi willed his way into Steffi Graf's life
This marriage was never supposed to have happened in the first place. Andre Agassi was married to Brooke Shields and Steffi Graf was busy winning everything in Tennis!
Andre developed a crush on his future wife before meeting her in person. He first saw her doing an interview on French TV in 1991 and was dazzled by her. He tried to get a message to her but she didn’t respond.
Andre had the chance to meet Steffi after winning Wimbledon in 1992. She won the ladies' singles tennis title. He was “dying to go” to the Wimbledon Ball that he’d heard about for years because the men’s winner got to dance with the women’s winner. He even purchased a tuxedo for the event, but was informed that the dance had been canceled. He didn’t get to dance with Steffi, but there was a kind of consolation match: a formal introduction.
“I look forward to it all night. 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. I say, I’d really love to talk with you some time.”
-Andre recalls the Wimbledon Ball
The pair reconnected in 1999, not long after Andre and Brooke ended their marriage.
At his request, Andre's coach coordinated with Steffi's coach to line up a practice session for the pair during the Key Biscayne tournament in Florida.
"I was talking to my coach and … it's like, 'Why does he want to practice with me?' He's like, 'What do you think?'"
-Steffi Graf recalls the practice session
From there, Andre began "plotting" to win Steffi over, sending huge bouquets of roses and even practicing a conversation with his coach before calling to ask her out. During one of his flights Andre even fashioned an airline menu into a birthday card for Steffi.
"So I need to tell you, I just need to say before we go any further, that I think you are beautiful. I respect you, I admire you, and I would absolutely love to get to know you better. That's my goal. That's my only agenda."
-Andre’s last ditch effort to win Steffi over
That began spending time with each other throughout that summer and it went really quick from there. The duo tied the knot in a low-key ceremony in 2001.
Andre Agassi even introduced Steffi Graf during her induction into Tennis Hall of Fame.
Tell me the love stories that you think the world should know.
Rohith’s Corner:
You may be wondering why I haven’t been writing this weekly newsletter for the last 3 months. Well… I was too busting my back planning for my wedding!!! I’ll tell you one thing, marriage is not easy! The preparation, the running around, managing people uff… Not for the faint hearted. But you know what? Everything was worth it when I looked at Kani while tying the knot! On 14th February 2024 two hearts became one in front of our loved ones!
A big shout out to my mother as well! A single parent and she managed everything singlehandedly!
