When perennial champion Steffi Graf and the US bird of paradise André Agassi became the dream couple in tennis, it was a sensation. But how did it come about? Not much is known about the love story of the two superstars. They are too discreet and have carefully protected their private lives – for more than 20 years.
One of the few anecdotes about the beginnings of their love story is provided by Agassi in his biography “Open”.
Brooke Shields’ refrigerator as a starting point
It all apparently began with actress Brooke Shields’ refrigerator. At the end of the 1990s, the US actress was about to marry Agassi. As motivation for the pre-marital fitness program, Shields stuck a photo of Steffi Graf to their shared refrigerator – framed by a heart-shaped magnet, as Agassi writes.
Shields, the sex symbol at the time, known from “The Blue Lagoon”, has no idea that her partner regularly stops in front of the photo afterward. Because he has secretly been in love with Graf for years.
With flowers and stalking into Steffi’s heart
After a platonic meeting, Agassi sent flowers to his beloved without asking, which he later described as “borderline stalking”. Agassi and Shields split up, and shortly afterwards fans and the media celebrated the scene’s new dream couple: Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi – two of the most successful sports stars of their time. The wedding followed in October 2001.
The countess and the rebel united in deep love. “I was thunderstruck, absolutely enchanted by her modest grace, her natural beauty,” says Agassi in his biography.
Declaration of love makes Steffi Graf cry
Almost exactly 20 years ago, he paid tribute to his wife at a Hall of Fame event: “It is clear to me that words have not yet been invented that are big enough, colorful enough or true enough to express the heart and soul of this woman I love: Stefanie,” he began his eulogy, which lasted about ten minutes.
The rather cool Graf was rarely seen as moved as she was in those minutes. After Agassi’s speech, she said with tears in her voice: “Tennis has made this incredible journey possible for me. The best thing about this journey was that it led me to you.”
Reclusive dream couple for 25 years
The journey of Graf and Agassi, who have two grown children and live a secluded life in the USA, has now lasted almost 25 years – a real and widely admired rarity in the fast-moving world of professional sport.
The new film “Perfect Match”, starring Lena Klenke and Tony Sebastian, attempts to retell the love story of the tennis stars. Attempts, because it begins with the words: “(…) it could have happened just like that.” Only Steffi and André know exactly how it happened.
2024-07-01 06:15:00
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