"It's like touching her, though we're forty feet apart": Andre Agassi account of first practicing with Steffi Graf amuses
OtherWednesday, 04 October 2023 at 21:30
Andre
Agassi counted his initial practice session with Steffi Graf before their
relationship
Andre
Agassi's vivid account of his first practice session with his wife, Steffi
Graf, amused tennis fans.
In his
autobiography "Open," Agassi provided an evocative description of his
initial practice session with Steffi Graf in 1999, emphasizing the intimate
connection they shared on the court despite their physical separation:
"A
ball feels different off every player's racket-there are minute but concrete
subtleties of force and spin. Now, hitting with her (Steffi Graf), I feel her
subtleties. It's like touching her, though we're forty feet apart. Every
forehand is foreplay," Andre Agassi wrote.
"I
think I found the creepiest sentence in Agassi's autobiography. This is how he
describes his first practice with Steffi Graf. (By this point he is still
married to Brooke Shields and has just ripped his shirt off to impress Graf.)
LOL. So many cringeworthy punchlines in this book but this one is by far the
worst," some fan posted.
In a
previous interview with former Indian tennis player Vijay Amritraj, Steffi Graf
reflected on her initial training session with Andre Agassi.
The 22-time
Grand Slam champion mentioned her bewilderment at Agassi's request for a
practice session and his gesture of sending her flowers, considering that at
the time, he was married to actress Brooke Shields, and she was also in a
relationship.
However,
after the news of Agassi and Shields' divorce was announced a few weeks later,
Graf revealed that they reconnected, and their relationship quickly progressed
from there.
Andre
Agassi and Brooke Shields divorced in 1999 after two years of marriage. The
American tennis star married Steffi Graf in March 2001. The couple shares two
children, a son named Jaden and a daughter named Jaz.
"Our
coaches set up practice in 1999 and I was like, 'Why does he want to practice
with me? He's married, I've got a boyfriend.' It was all a little confusing to
me," Graf said.
"But
after the practice, I found this beautiful bouquet of roses in my hotel room
with a beautiful letter. We had a brief conversation after that where I said
that I've got a boyfriend and all I know is that he's married," she added.
"A few
weeks later, I heard about the divorce and understood things a little clearer.
It took us a few months, but then, everything went really quick," former
world No. 1 added.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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