"I got to meet my husband, so I don't want to change one thing" - When Steffi Graf maintained that she had no regrets about her tennis career
Steffi Graf once mentioned that she had no regrets about how her tennis career turned out in the end.
Graf is often regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. She won a total of 22 Grand Slam titles during her career, along with numerous other achievements. The most remarkable feat on her resume is the Golden Slam (i.e. winning all four Majors in a calendar year alongside the Olympic gold), which she accomplished in 1988.
In 1999, at the age of 30, the German decided to hang up her racquet while still ranked as the World No. 3. Her retirement coincided with winning her last Major at the French Open, where she defeated Martina Hingis in the final.
During her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Steffi Graf was asked by the media if she had any regrets about her career. The 54-year-old replied in the negative.
However, she did reveal that if given the chance, she would have liked to control her desire to prolong her career, which might have resulted in her being "a little healthier."
"I have no regrets and I wouldn't change a thing," Graf said. "But I just wish that I would have had an easier time of getting away a little bit from the tennis and, you know, I always wanted to play. I wish I wouldn't have had that desire as much, because I think that would have kept me probably a little healthier."
"But I worked always hard and that took a toll at times physically, but other than that, I have to say, what kind of regrets can I have?" she added.
Graf also mentioned how her career path led her to meet her husband, fellow tennis legend Andre Agassi. The couple began dating in 1999 before tying the knot two years later.
"I was very fortunate with my career, so I wouldn't change a thing. Look where I am right now, you know, through my career, I got to meet my husband. So I don't want to change one thing," she said.
Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi have two children
Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi have been happily married for nearly 27 years. They share two children: a son named Jaden Gil, born on October 26, 2001, and a daughter named Jaz Elle, born on October 3 two years later.
Neither Jaden nor Jaz has shown interest in tennis despite their parents' rich legacy. Jaden has pursued baseball and currently plays as a pitcher for the University of Southern California's team, the Trojans, while Jaz is a very talented dancer.
Before getting together with Graf, Agassi exchanged vows with renowned actor Brooke Shields. They got engaged in 1996 and married each other a year later before separating in 1999.