Controversies: Steffi Graf Marital issues is being question
1999 was a pivotal year for Roland Garros, particularly for two iconic tennis figures. That year, Steffi Graf, approaching her 30th birthday, won her final Grand Slam title in a thrilling match against Martina Hingis, bringing her total to 22 titles. Shortly after, she reached the Wimbledon finals before retiring due to injuries. On the men’s side, Andre Agassi, at 29, captured the only Grand Slam title he had yet to win. Having previously lost in the finals to Jim Courier in 1991 and 1992, Agassi finished the Paris tournament in tears of joy. This simultaneous victory marked a turning point that would forever alter both of their lives.
Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi: Destined Partners
Tennis stars Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi had been acquainted for years. In his autobiography “Open,” Agassi revealed he had long admired Graf. They first formally met in 1992 at Wimbledon, where both were champions. Agassi expressed a desire for something more, but the timing was never right until seven years later.
A Prophecy Realized
After winning Roland Garros, Agassi’s coach Brad Gilbert made an audacious prediction, influenced by a few drinks. “It’s destiny,” Gilbert told Agassi, noting that since Agassi won the 1999 French Open, and Graf won on the women’s side, they were destined to be together. Gilbert even wrote “2001: Steffi Agassi” on a piece of paper, predicting their marriage in 2001 and the birth of their first child in 2002. Remarkably, his prediction came true.
In September 1999, following his US Open victory and recent divorce from Brooke Shields, Agassi received enthusiastic support from Graf, who had recently ended her relationship with car racer Michael Bartels. The two quickly became inseparable. Steffi moved to Las Vegas to join Agassi, and they married in a small ceremony on October 22, 2001, with only their mothers as witnesses. Their first child, Jaden Gil, was born shortly thereafter, followed by their daughter, Jaz Elle, two years later.